Cards could be reshuffled in key Turkish Super League weekend

TRABZON

The cards in the Turkish Super League could be reshuffled in the crucial upcoming 28th week of games, with leader Beşiktaş visiting Trabzonspor, the best-performing in the second half of the season, and second-placed Başakşehir taking on third-placed Galatasaray.

An emotional April 8 match awaits Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş, a former Trabzonspor legend as both a manager and goalkeeper, at the host’s new Medical Park Arena inside the Şenol Güneş Sports Complex.

Five points ahead of its follower Başakşehir, the Black Eagles are hoping to secure a greater cushion at the top of the league before a Europa League round of 16 away game against France’s Olympic Lyon on April 13. 

Suspended Beşiktaş striker Vincent Aboubakar returns to the squad, providing an alternative to the league’s top scorer Cenk Tosun.

“It’s a cliché, but it’s like a family here,” Tosun told uefa.com’s Cem Çetin Yılmaz in an interview published on April 6. 

“I feel like I’m coming home to see friends when I come to the training ground. Nobody has any feelings of jealousy toward anyone else and everyone thinks well of each other, which helps to encourage success,” he added. 

Beşiktaş is now sitting on 58 points, and faces a tough run-in where it will have to play Başakşehir, Fenerbahçe, Bursaspor and Kasımpaşa. 

Coach Güneş is also concerned about the likely absence of goalkeeper Fabricio Agosto Ramirez, who was injured during a home game against Gençlerbirliği last week. 

Trabzonspor, meanwhile, has won eight out of 10 games in the second half of the season without defeat, climbing to fifth spot with 44 points. 

The club’s winter transfer window signings - including Olcay Şahan, Emmanuel Mas, Joao Pereira, Hugo Rodallega and Carl Medjani – have all helped it avoid defeating since joining. 

Former Beşiktaş midfielder Şahan, who has contributed greatly to Trabzonspor’s attacking moves since arriving, will be welcoming his former mates in the Black Sea province. 

Meanwhile, Başakşehir will take on 49-point Galatasaray on April 10, trying to make up for last week’s defeat against Akhisar Belediyespor. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to rejoin the squad after injury, according to club sources. 

Gençlerbirliği will take on Antalyaspor on April 8, as Gaziantep, struggling for survival, hosts Aytemiz Alanyaspor. 

Fourth-placed Fenerbahçe will play at home against Akhisar Belediyespor on April 9 and Osmanlıspor will visit Kayserispor. 

The two teams at the bottom, Adanaspor and Çaykur Rizespor, will clash in Adana, while Kasımpaşa will play Konyaspor on April 10.