Demba Ba

As two leading title contenders, Be?ikta? and Fenerbahçe, lost two key points each during the rare week day campaign at Spor Toto Super League, leader Galatasaray prepares to take on Gençlerbirli?i, a match that might clear the way to the season title for the Istanbul side.

Be?ikta? maintained its lead atop the Spor Toto Super League standings on May 3 with a 2-0 victory at underperforming Black Sea giant Trabzonspor thanks to a pair of second-half goals.

Unable to penetrate each other?s defense, the two sides relied on long-range shots in the first half but failed to register anything on the score sheet.

The title race in the Spor Toto Super League may take a new twist this weekend when league leader Be?ikta? visits Trabzonspor on May 3 in Week 29 of the season.

Fenerbahçe beat Bursaspor 1-0 at home in a Spor Toto Super League game on April 20 to take over the top spot in the standings.

A goal in the 84th minute by Cameroonian striker Pierre Webo gave the new leader the victory in a game Fenerbahçe had hoped to win more easily.

Istanbul?s Be?ikta?, which sent Liverpool crashing out of the Europa League in the Round of  32, will entertain dreams of reaching the quarters when it visits Belgium?s Club Brugge, unbeaten in 12 European games this season, on March 12.

Eleven months on from their last visit to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Paris Saint-Germain return on March 11 looking for confirmation of their place among the Champions League elite.
      

Istanbul?s Be?ikta? kicks Liverpool out of the UEFA Europa League in penalties as Mersey side?s Joe Allen misses it Be?ikta? held their nerve with five imperious penalties as they knocked Liverpool FC out of the UEFA Europa League at the same Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium where they won the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.

Be?ikta? has lost the top spot in the Spor Toto Super League standings following a 1-0 loss at Eski?ehirspor on Feb. 22.

Eski?ehirspor won the game thanks to an early goal scored by Turkish left back Kaan Kanak.

With a 8-0 loss in 2007 still in mind, Istanbul?s Black Eagles visit Liverpool in a first leg tie of the teams? Europe League last 32 clash. Turkey?s Trabzonspor, meanwhile, will test itself against Napoli Be?ikta?

Be?ikta? will be out to erase the painful memories of a humiliating defeat in 2007 against Liverpool when it visits the Premier League giant tonight for the first leg of a Europa League Last 32 clash.

Trabzonspor will also aim for European success and host Serie A?s Napoli.