By Emre Asikci
ANKARA (AA) - Turkish football powerhouses Fenerbahce and Besiktas will face off in a vital Turkish Super Lig derby this weekend.
Last week, Fenerbahce and Besiktas lost their league matches as both sides are now waiting for the Sunday's derby to cling to title race.
Fenerbahce lost to leaders Sivasspor 3-1 in an away match, while Besiktas were beaten by Yeni Malatyaspor 2-0 at home in Istanbul's Vodafone Park.
This season, an underdog team tops the division, which is a rare occasion for the Super Lig.
The club from central Anatolia, Demir Grup Sivasspor are now on top of the league with 33 points.
Medipol Basaksehir from Istanbul are currently in the second spot as they have 27 points.
Besiktas got 27 points to come third in standings. Trabzonspor from Black Sea region bagged 26 points in 15 weeks and Fenerbahce, who were in the fifth spot, had 25 points.
- Fenerbahce unbeaten at home against Besiktas since 2005
Fenerbahce rely on their dominance in the derbies at Ulker Stadium as Besiktas couldn't earn a win in Kadikoy since 2005.
Besiktas last beat Fenerbahce at Ulker Stadium on April 17, 2005 as the 10-man Black Eagles defeated Fenerbahce 4-3 as Colombian goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba was sent off and Romanian forward of Besiktas Daniel Pancu had to replace him.
Since April 2005, Fenerbahce had nine wins and six draws against Besiktas at home.
Several Fenerbahce players such as Turkish defenders Sadik Ciftpinar and Hasan Ali Kaldirim, Nigerian winger Victor Moses and Slovenian midfielder Miha Zajc were troubled by injuries.
In addition to these players, a Fenerbahce regular, Garry Rodrigues will miss the Istanbul derby as the left winger from Cape Verde is suspended after being shown red card in last week's league match.
Sunday's derby will be held at Fenerbahce's home ground at 7 p.m. local time (1600GMT).
- Sivasspor target Genclerbirligi to extend winning streak
Separately, league leaders Demir Grup Sivasspor will look to extend their winning streak to eight games with a victory over Genclerbirligi in Ankara's Eryaman Stadium on Sunday.
Sivasspor are spending a dreamful season in the Super Lig, winning 10 matches in 15 weeks. They have three draws.
Their opponents Genclerbirligi come 12th with 17 points.
Sivasspor may lack their regular Emre Kilinc in this match as the Turkish left midfielder is suspended.
Emre is a prolific midfielder as he scored six goals and produced four assists in 13 league matches this season.
- Week 16 fixture:
Friday:
Antalyaspor - MKE Ankaragucu
Saturday:
BtcTurk Yeni Malatyaspor - Caykur Rizespor
Kasimpasa - Gaziantep FK
Goztepe - Galatasaray
Sunday:
Genclerbirligi - Demir Grup Sivasspor
Istikbal Mobilya Kayserispor - Medipol Basaksehir
Fenerbahce - Besiktas
Monday:
Ittifak Holding Konyaspor - Trabzonspor
Yukatel Denizlispor - Aytemiz Alanyaspor