Besiktas set for Turkey championship after Fenerbahce slump

Istanbul (AFP) – Istanbul side Besiktas were Monday on course to take their first Turkish Super Lig title since 2009 after sole challengers and local rivals Fenerbahce, slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat to Basaksehir.

With just two games of the season remaining in the next week, Beskitas lead Fenerbahce by six points and also hold a goal difference advantage of seven.

Besiktas now just need to win a point at their next match at home to Osmanlispor on Sunday to win a long sought-after title, while their goal difference advantage also makes it almost certain they will be champions.

Desperately seeking a win away to fellow Istanbul side Basaksehir, Fenerbahce came up short, increasing expectations their embattled Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira will not be here next season.

Bosnian international Edin Visca scored twice for the hosts Basaksehir in the 60th and 65th minute.

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, a big money summer signing from Manchester United, missed a penalty in the 76th minute to bring Fenerbahce back into the game and a goal in the 80th minute from Mehmet Topal only proved to be a consolation.

Besiktas had on Sunday piled the pressure on Fenerbahce with a critical derby win against Istanbul rivals Galatasaray, with a second half strike by Mario Gomez of Germany proving decisive.

Gomez, taken up on a loan deal from Fiorentina for at least this season, has proved the outstanding player in a glorious season for Besiktas who last month also moved back to their historic home by the shores of a Bosphorus in a brand new stadium.

The championship would mark the 14th time Besiktas have won Turkish football’s top prize and give the club Turkey’s sole automatic pass into the Champions League.