Derby fever hits Turkish Super League

Turkey's Super League will witness the year's last Istanbul derby on Saturday evening between Beşiktaş and Galatasaray.

The match in Beşiktaş' home ground of Vodafone Park will start at 7.30 p.m. local time (GMT1630).

Speaking to reporters during an event at Vodafone Park on Friday, Beşiktaş chairman Fikret Orman said he hoped for a derby "that will be decided by the players".

When asked to comment about the referee of the match, Fırat Aydınus, Orman said: "I don't want to comment on the referee to prevent any kind of manipulation. May God be with him, so that the match can be decided by the players on the field."

Orman also said the 2017/2018 league has been going "in a balanced way" so far.

"There is not a huge gap between the first place team and the eighth place team," said Orman.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara on Friday, Galatasaray chairman Dursun Özbek said Beşiktaş and Galatasaray "are two distinguished teams".

"I hope the match will be in a friendly atmosphere and give joy to the fans. It is going to be a great match, because two teams are in-form. Naturally, I wish good luck for Galatasaray," Özbek said.

League leaders Galatasaray have currently 29 points, six points ahead of Beşiktaş, who are in fourth place.

Here are the weekend's league matches:

Saturday:

Akhisarspor - Yeni Malatyaspor (GMT1100)

Karabükspor - Göztepe (GMT1330)

Beşiktaş - Galatasaray (GMT1630)

Sunday:

Konyaspor - Bursaspor (GMT1100)

Gençlerbirliği - Sivasspor (GMT1100)

Başakşehir - Osmanlıspor (GMT1330)

Fenerbahçe - Kasımpaşa (GMT1630)

Monday:

Trabzonspor - Antalyaspor (GMT1700)

Alanyaspor - Kayserispor (GMT1700)