Rizespor vs Besiktas: Final round clash for pride and position

As the Turkish Super Lig season reach its final round, Caykur Rizespor go host Besiktas for the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Friday evening. The match get plenty implications for both sides, even though dem no dey fight for title.

Rizespor dey sit eighth for the standings with 40 points, and dem still get chance to finish seventh if dem win this match. The Black Sea Sparrowhawks don finish ninth for each of the two seasons since dem return to top flight, but this time dem want better that achievement. However, dem go need to beat Besiktas to make am happen, as dem dey level on points with Konyaspor and only ahead on goal difference.

Recep Ucar side don struggle recently, with just one win from their last four league matches. That run include a heavy 4-0 loss away to Eyupspor last time out, where dem concede three times before half time. But dem get reason to be hopeful for home ground, as Rizespor don win each of their last five home league matches, scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets.

History no dey favour Rizespor for this fixture though. Dem never win any of their last 12 home meetings with Besiktas across all competitions, losing eight of those matches. Their last home league victory over the Black Eagles come as far back as 2005. Besiktas don already defeat Rizespor 1-0 for league and 4-1 for Turkish Cup this season.

Besiktas, wey don secure fourth place, dey come to Rize with little to play for beyond ending campaign strongly. Sergen Yalcin side don lose some momentum recent weeks, with 1-0 defeat to Konyaspor for Turkish Cup and 2-1 league loss against Trabzonspor. The Black Eagles dey mathematically secure for fourth place, four points clear of fifth-placed Goztepe but too far behind Trabzonspor to climb higher.

Besiktas generally dey reliable on road this season, collecting fourth-most points on opposition territory. Though dem lose back-to-back away matches before bouncing back with 2-0 victory at Gaziantep for their most recent trip.

For team news, Rizesport go miss Uzbekistan defender Khusniddin Alikulov, wey don sideline since January with serious knee injury. Altin Zeqiri also dey out with ankle issue, missing sixth consecutive match. Besiktas go be without Kartal Yilmaz due to torn ankle ligament, while Milot Rashica fit miss third straight game because of bone oedema problem. Gokhan Sazdagi remain major doubt after missing last four matchday squads, and Necip Uysal continue to serve suspension related to betting scandal.

Rizespor possible starting lineup: Fofana; Hojer, Akaydin, Mocsi, Pala; Antalyali; Mihaila, Laci, Olawoyin, Mebude; Sowe. Besiktas possible starting lineup: Destanoglu; Murillo, Agbadou, Djalo, Yilmaz; Ndidi; Cerny, Olaitan, Kokcu, Toure; Oh.

Rizespor don be strong at home recent weeks and still get enough attacking quality to trouble visitors, especially given Besiktas occasional defensive lapses away from home. But the Black Eagles still appear to get more quality for decisive areas of pitch, and that edge fit help them finish season with another away victory.