The first Istanbul Derby of the season kicks off today as Fenerbahce head to Fiyapı İnönü Stadium to take on Besiktas. While this rivalry is perhaps not as fierce as Besiktas and Galatasary there is no doubt that tensions will be high as both teams look to add three points to their total in the early going of the Turkish Super Lig.
Besiktas Vs. Fenerbahce, 2011 Turkish Super Lig: Season’s First Istanbul Derby Dampened By Injuries
Fenerbahce and Besiktas play in the first Instanbul Derby of the season today, but both clubs are without some key players in this key early season matchup.
Fenerbahce, last seasons champions, currently sit top of the table four points ahead Besiktas. Fenerbahce are the lone unbeaten team and look to continue that run, but will be hard pressed to do so given some of their injuries. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and midfielder Mehmet Topuz, both Turkish Internationals, are out along with back-up keeper Serkan Kirintili and winger Issier Dia.
Besiktas aren’t faring much better on the injury front as they are also without their first-choice goalkeeper, Rustu Recber, and central defender Ibrahim Toraman. Additionally, club captain and former Real Madrid midfielder Guti is facing a battle in order to get fit in time for the match.
Normally, the home team holds the advantage in Derby matches, but that is not the case in this game. In all 73 of the league matches that have taken places at the İnönü Stadium between the two clubs Fenerbahce have won 26 to Besiktas’ 25 and 22 draws. Fenerbahce has won seven of the last ten matches between the clubs. It would seem that a Fenerbahce win is a foregone conclusion, but one can never be sure what will happen in a local derby match.
Game Date/Time: 8:30 P.M. local (1:30 P.M. ET), Thursday, October 27, 2011
Venue: Fiyapı İnönü Stadium
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