With the race for the Turkish Super Lig title coming to the boil, Fenerbahce return to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Friday for the visit of Rizespor. While the visitors have nothing major to play for this season aside from securing a top-half finish, the hosts are in the thick of the title race with rivals Galatasaray and third-placed Trabzonspor.

Recent hiccups from league leaders Galatasaray have helped revive Fenerbahce’s title hopes, and Domenico Tedesco’s men have wasted no time in capitalizing, narrowing the gap at the top to just two points.

After profiting from a 101st-minute penalty to edge Besiktas 1-0 after the international break, Fener sought a much more comfortable outing when they traveled to face Kayserispor last weekend and delivered emphatically, winning 4-0.

Rizespor, meanwhile, have quickly established themselves as a mid-table club since returning to the division three years ago and are now targeting a third straight top-half league finish this term.

Capitalizing on home comforts, Rizespor have also returned from the break with renewed vigour, thrashing Samsunspor 4-1 last week before overturning a first-half deficit to edge Gaziantep 2-1 on Monday.

Fenerbahce vs Rizespor Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Fener have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, winning each of their last 13 games against Rizespor.
• Rizespor’s sole victory in this fixture over the last decade came in September 2018 when they dispatched Fenerbahce 3-0 in a league clash.
• Only Galatasaray (67) have scored more goals in the Super Lig this season than Fenerbahce (66).
• Rizespor’s 3-0 win over Kasimpasa in February remains their sole away victory across all competitions since the start of November.
• Sarı-Lacivertliler have not lost a home league game since last May, collecting 12 wins and four draws at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in that period.

Fenerbahce vs Rizespor Prediction

Three wins on the spin have vaulted Fenerbahce into a strong position in the title race, as they could go top for the first time this season with maximum points on Friday, albeit momentarily.

The hosts are dealing with key absentees this weekend, including Marco Asensio, who suffered a knee injury against Besiktas, and Jayden Oosterwolde, who is serving a suspension.

However, they retain our backing to take the win on Friday, with Rizespor’s three-game losing streak on the road doing them no favors.

Prediction: Fenerbahce 3-1 Rizespor

Fenerbahce vs Rizespor Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Fenerbahce to win

Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Over 2.5 goals (Five of the visitors’ last seven matches have produced more than 2.5 goals)

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: YES