Title-chasing Basaksehir will find themselves top of the table for the first time this season if they better Trabzonspor’s result this weekend and their form suggests they will fulfil their part of the bargain. The Owls have won eight of their last 12 matches and their home record is excellent (W9 D3 L1).
Besiktas remain in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season despite results picking up under new head coach Sergen Yalcin. The Black Eagles are five points behind fourth-placed Sivasspor ahead of their clash with Antalyaspor, who have pulled away from the relegation zone to mid-table security.
Super Lig table toppers Trabzonspor face a tough test when visiting eighth-placed Goztepe on Sunday and we’re expecting a close encounter. The hosts have lost only one of their last seven home matches, avoiding defeat against the likes of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Galatasaray will be determined to return to winning ways at Rizespor, in order to put some pressure on Trabzonspor and Basaksehir at the top of the Super Lig table. Their hosts are facing a relegation battle, so this does look a good opportunity to get back on track following a couple of frustrating draws.
Fenerbahce are hot favourites to see off Kayserispor in Friday evening’s Super Lig clash but there are reasons to believe the visitors can be competitive. Robert Prosinecki has inspired an upturn in fortunes since taking over the basement dwellers, who have also won three straight encounters with their hosts.
Notts County are on a roll in the National League, but Torquay is never an easy place to visit and a close encounter could be on the cards. The Gulls won their last couple of fixtures at Plainmoor and have kept three straight clean sheets at this venue, so will not go down without a fight.
Sivasspor are pushing for a place in Europe next season and may have the momentum to claim an away win at Antalyaspor this evening. The hosts have eased fears of being involved in a relegation battle during a seven-match unbeaten run in Turkey’s Super Lig but have had a kind schedule.
PSG are under pressure to perform after losing 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund in Germany but do have the talent to turn this Champions League tie around. The French aristocrats looked dangerous for long periods of the second half at Westfalenstadion and are usually much stronger on home turf.
RB Leipzig look to be holding all the aces against an injury-hit Tottenham ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie in Germany. Only Timo Werner’s 58th-minute penalty separated these sides in London, but the Bundesliga outfit looked much the better team for large parts of that contest.
Atlanta will take a 4-1 advantage to Valencia for the second leg of their Champions League tie and have vowed to adopt a positive approach at the Mestalla. The first encounter between these sides in Italy was incredibly open, with both teams having lots more chances to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Watford sprang a huge surprise when hammering Liverpool last weekend but we fear they will be quickly brought back down to earth at Crystal Palace. The Hornets have yet to win away against any team outside of the relegation zone, picking up only four points and scoring just five goals in 11 other road trips.
Sheffield United and Norwich head into the game in buoyant mood after advancing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in midweek. The Blades required extra-time to beat Championship side Reading while Norwich knocked out Tottenham on penalties in north London.
All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney when Derby take on his former club Manchester United in an intriguing FA Cup fifth-round tie at Pride Park. The Red Devils’ record goalscorer has done well for the Rams since joining from DC United in January and is sure to be fired up for this contest.
Having completed a hat-trick of EFL Cup triumphs, Manchester City should move closer towards back-to-back FA Cup victories when visiting Sheffield Wednesday. Garry Monk’s Owls are a mid-table Championship outfit who have lost five of their last seven fixtures at Hillsborough in that division.