Elazigspor v Fenerbahce LIVE: A Baptism Of Fire For Newly Promoted Elazig

Kick Off: Saturday 18th August
Live on Bet365 streaming 7.45pm

Newly promoted Elazigspor couldn’t of wished for a harder start in the Super league after finishing in runners up spot in the first division last season.

They face Fenerbahce, who will still be smarting by losing out to Galatasaray in last years championship as well as missing out on the Super Cup last week with a 3-2 loss to the current champions..

Elazigspor, amazingly, have gained a double promotion in two years and were plying their trade at the third level just 24 months ago. Fans and players alike will know that they have a huge task ahead of them if they are going to survive at the highest level of Turkish football, but more immediately, can they take something from Fenerbahce in their very first game?

The current crop of players will have no memory of the last time they were playing their football at the top level. In 2003/04 they lost out by a narrow 1-0 scoreline in the corresponding fixture, although they were humbled 7-1 in Istanbul.

It seems to be an enormous ask for them to take all 3 points here, but they will take confidence from their very strong home record last season in the first division. Winning 13 of their 17 games on home turf, losing 3 and conceding just 9 goals, they will attempt to keep things tight and stifle the Fenerbahce attack.

Visitors Fenerbahce will be disappointed with their away form last term, and will definitely be looking to improve their success rates on their travels, as their home form in Istanbul is simply formidable.

Bookmakers Bet365 make Fenerbahce 4/7 favourites to take the spoils, with new boys Elazigspor priced at 5/1 and the draw an 11/4 chance. If Fenerbahce plan on improving their fortunes away from home then this is the perfect opportunity, and the 4/7 may well be a huge price if manager Aykut Kocaman has addressed this shortfall.

The match will be streamed live on Bet365′s video service, and it should be well worth a watch. The match is also available to bet live and in-play while you watch all the action.

Fenerbahce fans will expect nothing less than reclaiming the championship this season after losing out to Galatasaray last term, and a win against new boys Elazigspor is a must if they are to start on the right foot.