As Istanbul Basaksehir and Alanyaspor prepare to meet at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on Sunday afternoon, the stage is set for a clash that promises both goals and tactical intrigue. With recent encounters producing fireworks—most notably January’s wild 5-4 Alanyaspor victory—this matchup has become a fixture for the connoisseur of attacking football. Yet, beneath the surface, Basaksehir may be primed to break a worrying run and capitalize on Alanyaspor’s persistent defensive vulnerabilities.
Recent Form and the State of Play
Basaksehir enter matchday four still searching for their first win of the campaign, having drawn both opening fixtures and sitting on just two points. While their start hardly inspires confidence, both draws were hard-fought and showcased a team gradually finding its rhythm. Alanyaspor, meanwhile, arrive with four points from three games, a solitary win, a draw, and a loss. Their form is patchy, but they have at least shown an ability to score and concede in equal measure—a recurring theme for the club.
The broader context is one of parity: in their last 18 meetings, Basaksehir have won seven, Alanyaspor six, with five draws. The last five games exemplify this balance—Basaksehir won 4-2 last August, but Alanyaspor responded with the aforementioned 5-4 thriller in January. Neither side has established dominance, but recent trends suggest that Sunday’s hosts may be due a reversal of fortune.
Last Time Out
Both sides’ most recent league games reflected their current trajectories.
- Basaksehir extended their unbeaten run to two games, though they remain winless, having drawn 0-0 in a tense, tactical battle.
- Alanyaspor managed a draw as well, but their defense was once again breached, conceding in a 1-1 stalemate. The pattern is hard to ignore: Alanyaspor have both scored and conceded in nine of their last ten away league matches.
Such porousness on the road should concern coach Fatih Tekke, especially against a Basaksehir side adept at exploiting defensive lapses.
Players to Watch: Scorers and Creators
Both lineups are sprinkled with talent, but certain individuals stand out for their influence and recent form. Based on the latest verified rosters and player statistics from this season:
Istanbul Basaksehir:
- Ibrahim Brnić (#77, Forward): 1 goal in 2 matches. A lively presence up front, he’s expected to lead the line.
- Görkem Yalçın (#10, Forward): 1 goal in 3 games. His movement between the lines will trouble Alanyaspor’s back four.
- Okan Ergün (#4, Midfielder): 1 assist in 2 appearances. The creative heartbeat of Basaksehir’s midfield.
- Yusuf Özdemir (#88, Midfielder): Also with an assist from midfield, offering both control and incisive passing.
Alanyaspor:
- Fatih Hadergjonaj (#94, Defender): Already on the scoresheet this season, underlining his threat from set pieces and open play.
- Ibrahim Kaya (#27, Forward): A goal in three appearances, crucial as a direct runner.
- Görkem Yalçın (#10, Forward): Notably, Yalçın appears to be listed on both squads this season, but is confirmed in Basaksehir’s squad for this match.
- Oğuz Aydın (#4, Forward): Emerging as a wildcard, though officially more of a midfield option.
Despite Basaksehir’s lack of wins, their attacking core is fit and available. Alanyaspor, for their part, have no major absences among their key scorers, and will rely heavily on the pace and directness of Kaya and the set-piece prowess of Hadergjonaj.
Predicted Lineups
Based on recent selections and player availability, expect the following:
| Basaksehir (4-2-3-1) | Alanyaspor (4-3-3) |
|---|---|
| Volkan Babacan (GK) | Ertuğrul Taşkıran (GK) |
| Leo Duarte (RB) | Fatih Hadergjonaj (RB) |
| Youssouf Ndayishimiye (CB) | Furkan Bayır (CB) |
| Duarte (CB) | Nemanja Milunović (CB) |
| Lucas Lima (LB) | Cristian Borja (LB) |
| Okan Ergün (CM) | Leroy Fer (CM) |
| Yusuf Özdemir (CM) | Umut Güneş (CM) |
| Bertrand Traoré (RW) | Oğuz Aydın (RW) |
| Deniz Türüç (CAM) | Yusuf Özdemir (CM) |
| Ibrahim Brnić (LW) | Ibrahim Kaya (LW) |
| Görkem Yalçın (ST) | Efecan Karaca (ST) |
Lineups are subject to last-minute changes, but as of Saturday night, all players listed are confirmed available and have featured in recent matchday squads.
Where to Watch
- Turkey: beIN Sports Turkey (live, all platforms)
- Europe: Eurosport Player (streaming), DAZN (select territories)
- North America: Fanatiz, fuboTV (streaming)
- MENA: beIN Sports MENA
- Rest of World: Local listings and Süper Lig’s international broadcast partners
Tactics and the Big Question
Basaksehir’s front four have yet to fully click, but the underlying data suggests a breakthrough is imminent. They average nearly 1.5 expected goals per match despite a modest output so far, and will relish facing an Alanyaspor side that cannot keep clean sheets away from home. Expect them to press high, target second balls, and force Alanyaspor’s defenders into mistakes.
Alanyaspor, by contrast, will look to soak up pressure and hit on the break, with Kaya and Hadergjonaj their chief threats. Their recent matches suggest they will get chances—but their defensive structure has yet to withstand sustained pressure from top-half opposition.
Implications and What’s at Stake
For Basaksehir, a win could ignite their season and lift them into the top half of the table, restoring belief after a slow start. For Alanyaspor, three points would consolidate their early momentum and prove they can defend leads as well as chase games.