Istanbulspor vs Balikesirspor Predictions & Tips - Istanbulspor backed to ease to victory

Istanbulspor are in fine form but they do tend to concede goals. I’m going to back BTTS and Istanbulspor to win with reasonable comfort.

Istanbulspor hold a 5-0 lead over Balikesirspor in six previous encounters. There has been one draw.

The last match between the two sides ended in a 5-0 win to Istanbulspor in February 2020.

Istanbulspor are fifth in the Turkish 1 Lig table, four points off the top with a game in hand. After a slow start to the season the side from the capital has picked up the pace with four wins from their last five.

After a drawing 3-3 at home to Bursaspor just before Christmas, Istanbulspor bounced back to win 2-0 at Boluspor. That was followed by a convincing 3-1 win over Adana Demirspor at home.

Istanbulspor’s last match was an exciting 5-3 home win over Ankarasspor. Ibrahim Yilmaz scored a hat-trick while Levent Aycicek and Onur Ergun added the others.

The one concern for the hosts will be their inability to keep clean sheets. Istanbulspor have only managed to shut the opposition out once in their last 12 matches.

Defensive midfielder Kamal Issah is the only player missing for Istanbulspor. 

Left-back Ali Yasar and central midfielder Onur Ergun is at risk of suspension. Ergun has scored four goals in his last five matches.

Balikesirspor will be keeping a close eye on the teams behind them as they sit in 13th place, three points above the relegation zone. With just one win in their last seven league matches, pressure is starting to build.

Over their last four matches, Balikesirspor have only picked up one point. That came in their last match when they held Altinordu to a 0-0 draw away.

Prior to that Balikesirspor lost 3-1 at home to Samsunspor, 2-1 at Ankara Keciorengucu and 1-0 at home to Adana Demirspor.

Midfielder Muhammed Ali Dogan is out injured for this match and isn’t expected back anytime soon.

There are two suspension in midfield. Cumali Bisi and Serdar Guncu will be miss this match for yellow card accumulation.