Başakşehir stronger on top of Turkish football league

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Medipol Başakşehir strengthened their position on top of the Turkish football league with 38 points after beating the rival Trabzonspor in their first match of the second half of the season.

Turkey's top tier football league has been experiencing something new this year as trio Galatasaray, Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe are far from leadership.

In the Week 18 of Turkey's Spor Toto Süper Lig, the leader Başakşehir beat the runner-up Trabzonspor 3-2 in an away match on Jan. 20 to have a clean start to the second half of the season.

In the first match of the second half of Turkish football league, Beşiktaş defeated Akhisar 3-1 on Jan. 18, while Galatasaray beat Ankaragücü 6-0 on Jan. 19.

Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir led the league with 38 points, the reigning champions Galatasaray and Yeni Malatyaspor have 32 points each, followed by Kasımpaşa, Trabzonspor and Beşiktaş with 29 points each.

On Jan. 21, Kasımpaşa will face Çaykur Rizespor at home while Fenerbahçe will play against Bursaspor in an away match.

The 'Yellow Canaries' were desperate for a win to stay close to league's top.

Fenerbahçe remained in the relegation zone. Fenerbahçe with 16 points are currently at 17th place in the league - 22 points away from the top of the league.