Besiktas vs Fenerbahce – Preview & Prediction (Jan. 04, 2026)
Match preview
Round 14 of the Turkish Super League brings a heavyweight clash as Besiktas host Fenerbahce. Besiktas come into this game after a 75–72 win at Petkim Spor, keeping their strong domestic run alive. Coach Dusan Alimpijevic’s side has been involved in several tight contests recently and also dropped a couple of surprise results in the EuroCup on the road, but they remain dangerous at home.
Besiktas rank among the league leaders defensively and are efficient in limiting opponents’ scoring. Offensively they rely heavily on perimeter shooting and contributions from players like Jonah Mathews, who has shown he can take over late in close games. They also rebound and move the ball well and commit relatively few turnovers, which has helped them grind out wins in low-scoring affairs.
Form, head-to-head and availability
Fenerbahce arrive in very good form overall — their recent run across competitions has been impressive, with important EuroLeague victories and mostly positive domestic results. They did suffer a heavy defeat to Trabzonspor but bounced back with a solid win over Manisa. Two days before this fixture they played a physical, high-tempo road game and beat Baskonia 108–93, a performance that showcased their scoring depth and ability to limit turnovers.
Historically Fenerbahce have had the upper hand in the big finals between these teams: they edged Besiktas in the Super Cup and were dominant in last season’s playoff and cup showdowns. That said, the regular-season meetings have been competitive.
Injury and availability notes: Besiktas have no major doubts reported. Fenerbahce will be missing several contributors and are unlikely to have their new signing available for this match, which could affect rotations and minutes.
Prediction
Key angles to watch: Besiktas’ defense and home atmosphere versus Fenerbahce’s firepower and recent workload. Fenerbahce’s quick turnaround from a tough road game may leave them slightly less fresh, while Besiktas have recently shown they can grind out low-scoring contests.
Tip-off time: Sunday, 04.01.2026, 18:30 CET
Prediction: Under 168.5 points — expect a tight, defense-first game with neither side running freely for a high-scoring outcome.
