The final game of gameweek 25 in the Turkish Super Lig will take place at RHG Enertürk Enerji Stadyumu, where Kayserispor will host Besiktas on Monday evening.
The hosts urgently need a positive result and go into this game with 28 points after 24 matches, while the visitors have accumulated 39 points over the same period.
Match preview
Kayserispor climbed into the top half of the table before the Christmas period with a great run of results after last October’s international break, but their position has declined over the past few months.
They experienced seven consecutive defeats between December 20 and January 25, leading to the end of Recep Ucar’s time in charge after just 21 matches.
Burak Yilmaz took over from Ucar, and after guiding his team to two 1-1 draws in his first two matches, he now faces his biggest challenge against the club where he played for four seasons.
The Anatolian Stars have gained 12 points out of 36 on the road this season, and the new manager aims to stop a five-match winless run (W0 D1 L4) away from home.
However, they were defeated 2-1 by this opponent at home in September, marking their seventh consecutive loss to Besiktas since January 2021.
Meanwhile, with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce leading by over 20 points, Besiktas’s main focus is to secure at least a top-four finish for European football next season.
Despite currently sitting third in the league standings, the Black Eagles are not in a comfortable position, with Rizespor just three points behind in sixth place.
Fernando Santos’s side secured three crucial points last week, winning against Trabzonspor 2-0, ending a three-match winless streak.
They followed that with a mixed performance in the Turkish Cup, coming from behind to win the match.
Despite their solid record in this fixture, they have several injuries to contend with, and their fragile confidence could make this a balanced encounter.
Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:
L L L L D D
Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:
W W L D L W
Team News
The hosts will miss key midfielder Kartal Yilmaz due to suspension. Injuries rule out Anthony Uzodimma, Majid Hosseini, and Stephane Bahoken, while Carlos Mane is doubtful.
Beskitas have a long list of absentees, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Amir Hadziahmetovic, both expected to miss most of the season.
Emrecan Uzunhan and Salih Ucan are out until March with ACL and thigh injuries, respectively, while Vincent Aboubakar, Omar Colley, Jonas Svensson, and Rachid Ghezzal are a few weeks away from returning.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit;
Civelek, Kocaman, Kolovetsios, Carole;
Ozbek, Ackah;
Cardoso, Kaldirim, Boa Morte;
Sazdagi
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok;
Bulut, Worrall, Colley, Meras;
Rashica, Amartey, Fernandes;
Ghezzal, Kilicsoy, Tosun
Prediction: Kayserispor 1-1 Besiktas
Besiktas have struggled for consistency this season, and despite back-to-back victories, their performances were unconvincing. Yilmaz has made a solid start as Kayserispor’s manager, and we believe he may secure a point against his former club.
