Football: Basaksehir move to top of Turkish Super Lig

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Medipol Basaksehir beat Besiktas 1-0 to move to the top spot in the opening game of the week 22 of Turkish football league Friday.

Former Besiktas striker Demba Ba scored for Basaksehir in minute 50.

After two consecutive wins under new manager Sergen Yalcin, Besiktas suffered its first loss.

Turkey’s premier football league is set for riveting action as seven title contenders face at least one other challenger within a week.

The top seven are separated by just six points and fixtures this weekend and next could prove decisive in the title race.

Sunday will witness a top-of-the-table clash between Sivasspor and Trabzonspor.

The two sides have a one-point difference as Sivasspor have 42 points, however, Trabzonspor have a game at hand.

Sivasspor will also kick off next week’s against fourth-placed Aytemiz Alanyaspor on Friday, followed by Besiktas and Trabzonspor’s on Saturday.

Reigning champions Galatasaray, currently in the fifth spot, will take on sixth-placed rivals Fenerbahce on Sunday.

There will be more than bragging rights up for grabs in the derby as the bitter foes are just a point apart in the table.

The top half of the Super Lig table as of Thursday, Feb. 13:

Fixtures - Week 22:

Friday:

Medipol Basaksehir - Besiktas: 1-0

Saturday:

Yukatel Denizlispor - Hes Kablo Kayserispor

Ittifak Holding Konyaspor - Goztepe

MKE Ankaragucu - Fenerbahce

Sunday:

Aytemiz Alanyaspor - Genclerbirligi

Trabzonspor - Demir Grup Sivasspor

Galatasaray - BtcTurk Yeni Malatyaspor

Monday:

Gaziantep FK - Caykur Rizespor

Fraport TAV Antalyaspor - Kasimpasa