Football: Derby fever in Turkish league's 23rd gameday

Istanbul heavyweights Fenerbahce and Besiktas to play Monday

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - It's derby week in Turkey's top football division as Istanbul giants Besiktas and Fenerbahce will square off at Vodafone Park on Monday.

The derby match will start at 9 p.m. local time (GMT1800).

The league's 23rd match week will kick off on Friday as Goztepe will face Trabzonspor and Caykur Rizespor will play against Evkur Yeni Malatyaspor.

Before Monday's derby match, Besiktas sit at third place in the league with 39 points, nine points behind league leaders Medipol Basaksehir.

Fenerbahce, on the other hand, are currently facing their worst season in league history, they are at 15th place with 24 points.

Medipol Basaksehir reigns Turkey’s top football league with six-point lead. The league leaders have 48 points with a six-point lead, followed by Galatasaray with 42 points.

Basaksehir will take on Bursaspor on Saturday, while Galatasaray will face Akhisarspor at Turk Telekom Stadium on Sunday.

Week 23 schedule:

Friday:

Goztepe - Trabzonspor at 1730GMT

Caykur Rizespor - Evkur Yeni Malatyaspor at 1730GMT

Saturday:

Demir Grup Sivasspor - Antalyaspor at 1030GMT

Aytemiz Alanyaspor - Kasimpasa at 1300GMT

Medipol Basaksehir - Bursaspor at 1600GMT

Sunday:

MKE Ankaragucu - Buyuksehir Belediye Erzurumspor at 1030GMT

Atiker Konyaspor - Istikbal Mobilya Kayserispor at 1300GMT