Fenerbahçe kick-off their 2015-16 league campaign against Eskişehirspor at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium this evening.
Yellow Canaries manager Vitor Pereira will be without Caner Erkin who is suspended and Gökhan Gönül is a doubt due to injury.
Pereira is expected to replace Erkin with left-back Michal Kadlec while Şener Özbayraklı could fill the void at right-back.
The Portuguese head coach is likely to keep with his 4-4-2 setup. Mehmet Topal – who survived an armed attack this week – is likely to start in central midfield alongside summer signing Josef de Souza. Diego Ribas could be given a free role on the left as against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League play-offs and former Manchester United winger Luis Nani is almost certain to start on the right.
Summer signing Fernandao is expected to start alongside Moussa Sow upfront. Ex United striker Robin van Persie has been included in the squad but remains a game time decision.
Eskişehirspor have kept the backbone of their side intact while bringing in a number of transfers mainly from rival clubs.
Akhisar striker Gekas knows the league well as do Rizespor winger Engin Bekdemir and Alpaslan Öztürk who spent last season on loan at Kasımpaşa.
EsEs have only ever won twice at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium and it would be a surprise if they were to hold out against this much improved Fenerbahçe side.
Prediction: Fenerbahçe Win
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