4. Bursaspor Vs. Kayserispor

Monday, 1 pm ET

For the first time in recent memory, the big three Istanbul sides are nowhere to be found in the Champions League spots in Turkey. Fenerbache have been respectable and are very much in the hunt, but Besiktas and especially Galatasaray have been wildly disappointing. Trabzonspor sit in first place, but up and coming sides Bursaspor and Kayserispor sit in second and third, both just two points back of first place.

Bursaspor’s attack has been led by talented youngster Sercan Yildirim. After a breakout 2008-09 campaign, Yilidrim struggled at times last year. His team won the title without him healthy and at his best and will have similar aspirations now that he’s a key player. His supporting cast includes Ivan Ergic and Turgay Bahadir, two midfielders who have shown a scoring touch early in the season. Their defense has been solid, allowing just nine goals in 13 matches. They’re anchored by captain Ömer Erdogan and veteran goal-scoring goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov.

Their opponents, Kayserispor, have been knocking on the door of a Champions League place for a while but have yet to seal the deal. They have no big time goal scorers, but they do have six players who have multiple goals only 13 games into the season, as well as a very stingy defense that has only allowed six goals. Kayseri are an interesting multi-cultural side, with some of their key foreigners being Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta, Georgian Aleksandr Amisulashvili, Brazilian Andre Moritz, and Paraguayan Jonathan Santana, among quality Turkish players.

Kayserispor are a tough team, but Bursaspor have been great at home against every team except leaders Trabzonspor. I like them to take a three point lead on Kayserispor with a 2-1 home win.