Istanbul Basaksehir play host to Fiorentina at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium for their Europa Conference League Group A contest on Thursday.
While the hosts secured their biggest ever European victory in their opening group match last week, their visitors were forced to settle for a draw.
Basaksehir have put together an impressive 2-0-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, dating back to March last season, and they have won each of their last five matches this season.
The Grey Owls secured a 4-0 away victory over Hearts in their opening Europa Conference League match last week, and would the claim a narrow 1-0 Super Lig victory away at city rivals Besiktas, with a goal from Bertrand Traore helping them move to within one point of league leaders Konyaspor with a game in hand.
Spirits are high within the Basaksehir camp and they will be leen to secure another three points against Fiorentina as they seek to qualify for the knockout rounds in European competition for only the second time in their history.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina have endured a disappointing start to the new season and have failed to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions.
They played out a 1-1 draw at home to Rigas Futbola Skola in their opening Europa Conference League group fixture last week.
La Viola would then suffer a 2-1 Serie A defeat at Bologna last weekend, with the hosts coming from behind to secure all three points.
Fiorentina have now failed to win any of their last eight competitive away matches and head coach Vincenzo Italiano is under pressure to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Competing in European competition for the first time in six years, Italiano’s side have now won all six of their previous meetings against Turkish opposition, conceding just one goal in the process.
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Fiorentina head to head
These two teams have not previously met on any occasion and this will be their first meeting in the Europa Conference League group stages.
Istanbul Basaksehir latest home form
Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Alanyaspor 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just one.
Istanbul Basaksehir 4-0 Kasimpasa 08/08/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 Breidablik11/08/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Antwerp 18/08/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Kayserispor 21/08/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Alanyspor 03/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir latest away form
Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form on the road, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Besiktas 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just two.
Breidablik 1-3 Istanbul Basaksehir 04/08/22
Konyaspor 0-0 Istanbul Basaksehir 15/08/22
Antwerp 1-3 Istanbul Basaksehir 25/08/22
Hearts 0-4 Istanbul Basaksehir 08/09/22
Besiktas 0-1 Istanbul Basaksehir 12/09/22
Fiorentina latest home form
Fiorentina have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their 10 most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Rigas FS in their last home game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.
Fiorentina 3-2 Cremonese 14/08/22
Fiorentina 2-1 Twente 18/08/22
Fiorentina 0-0 Napoli 28/08/22
Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus 03/09/22
Fiorentina 1-1 Rigas FS 08/09/22
Fiorentina latest away form
Fiorentina have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their 10 most recent matches. They were beaten 2-1 by Bologna in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored two goals and conceded six.
Real Betis 3-1 Fiorentina 06/08/22
Empoli 0-0 Fiorentina 21/08/22
Twente 0-0 Fiorentina 25/08/22
Udinese 1-0 Fiorentina 31/08/22
Bologna 2-1 Fiorentina 11/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir news
Mesut Ozil has missed the last three Istanbul Basaksehir games due to injury, but he returned to training this week and could be in contention to make the matchday squad.
Goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer was handed a start in goal against Hearts, while Volkan Babacan could retain his place on Thursday.
Fiorentina news
Fiorentina’s Dodo, Gaestano Castrovilli and Nikola Milenkovic are all ruled out with injuries, while Alfred Duncan is doubtful and will be assessed ahead off kickoff.
Igor Julio was sent off against Bologna in Serie A, but will likely start at centre-back alongside Lucas Martinez Quarta, who scored in the same game last weekend.
Prediction and Odds
These two teams head into the contest in contrasting form, with Istanbul Basaksehir going from strength to strength so far this season.
Fiorentina will be fired up to put an end to their winless run, but we can see the hosts coming away with a narrow victory in front of their fans in Istanbul.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 Fiorentina
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Fiorentina
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Fiorentina
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-1 Fiorentina
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-2 Fiorentina