Winning all six of their games so far, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe prove that they are the strongest contenders for the Turkcell Super League title. This week, Galatasaray welcomes third-spot EskiÅŸehirspor in a difficult game, while Fenerbahçe seeks to match a club-record start with a victory at mid-table team Antalyaspor



HAT TRICK: Galatasaray players celebrate the third goal by Shabani Nonda against Kasımpaşa. AA photo
The Turkcell Super League’s pacesetters Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe seek to extend their perfect starts to the season.

Istanbul’s two giants have been off to a flying start following last season’s disappointing performances, winning all six of their matches.

Last year was one to quickly forget for both teams, as Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The picture is almost reversed now, as both teams enjoy their best starts in decades.

Fenerbahçe coach Christoph Daum is aware that this feat was last replicated in his team’s 1964-65 campaign. Speaking after Fenerbahçe’s 1-0 victory over Istanbul Municipality on Sunday, Daum responded to the critics by saying that the results are important.

“When was the last time those supporters saw six wins in a row,” the German asked in response to reporters who echoed fans’ sentiments that, despite the victories, the team has yet to play at its best.

Daum is right to a certain extent. Fenerbahçe only managed to net six points in its first six games last season, and the team’s play is superior to that of Spanish manager Luis Aragonés’s squad.

Now Antalyaspor stands in the way as Fenerbahçe aims to extend its winning streak to seven games to match the club’s best in 1964. The Mediterranean team is not one of the top performers of the league but has been on a streak of not losing to Fenerbahçe since its promotion to the top level two years ago.

Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Volkan Demirel said that the team wants to extend its winning streak by putting an end to a poor run in Antalya with the game on Saturday.

“We have not been winning games at Antalyaspor,” said the Turkish national team goalkeeper. “We will break this run and extend our hot streak.”

Demirel added that the unbeaten streak is not causing any pressure within the team.

“Every player wants to add another win during those streaks,” said Demirel. “I am not stressed at all.”

He also said that Fenerbahçe is defending very well at the moment.

“The whole team is defending well – not only the back line,” said Demirel. “There are games that the ball does not reach me until the 75th minute. It is not fun for a goalkeeper but it is great for the team.”

While Fenerbahçe boasts a successful defense that has allowed only two goals so far, Galatasaray enjoys a goal spree. The Lions have scored 19 goals this season, six more than second-best Trabzonspor.

There are three Galatasaray players among the league’s top-ten scorers this season, lead by Shabani Nonda’s five goals and last year’s high-scorer Milan Baros, who has four.

Galatasaray’s form, which was tested by a trio of spectacular three-goal victories in eight games, started to make waves in Europe as well. After wins over BeÅŸiktaÅŸ, Panathinaikos and KasımpaÅŸa, Galatasaray was named the team of the week by uefa.com, the official Web site of European football’s governing body.

“Hats off to Frank Rijkaard's Galatasaray who is enjoying its best-ever start to a domestic campaign,” said the article, adding that the team has “raced out of the blocks.”

Galatasaray’s form will be put into a serious test on Sunday. EskiÅŸehirspor, which has beaten preseason expectations to snag third place, visits Ali Sami Yen Stadium. All three of EskiÅŸehirspor’s away games have ended in a draw, proving the team’s hard-to-beat character. The red-and-black side will try its hardest to stop the country’s best attacking line