Super Lig

The Super Lig is the highest league in Turkish football and is ranked as the eleventh best league in Europe, and as such there are two Champions League spots and three Europa League spots. There are eighteen teams in the league, and it has a similar structure to the Premiership and La Liga, with the bottom three teams being relegated.

Since its inception in 1959, the Super Lig has only been one by four clubs: Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Trabzonspor. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have both won it 17 times, with Besiktas having won 13 times and Trabzonsport picked up six titles. There is intense rivalry between the first three times, as they all play their football in Istanbul, and are usually competing with each other for the title.

The biggest rivalry is undoubtedly that of Fenerbahce and Galatasary, and the atmosphere when one team visits the other is so intimidating that it is known as ‘welcoming them to hell’. Scottish manager Graeme Sounness almost caused a riot when he, as manager of Galatasaray, planted a Galatasaray flag in the centre circle after beating Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup final.

There has been limited success for Turkish teams in Europe, with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce both having reached the quarter finals of the Champions League before. In addition, Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup in 2000.

Betting on the Super Lig is not common in the UK but almost all UK bookies still offer both match betting and outright bets. Fenerbahce are currently winning, sitting one point ahead of Galatasaray in second. Fenerbahce are favourites to go on and win the title, priced at 5/4, while Galatasaray are at 7/5.

Turkish Super Lig betting odds