Turkcell Süper Lig Week 26 kicks off Friday night with surging Beşiktaş on the road to face Kasımpaşa in the first match of the weekend.  With time running down on the season, the battles at the top and bottom are heating up in league play.  The weekend schedule is highlighted by a couple of old rivals meeting Sunday in Trabzon.  Here is a look around the league this weekend:

Week 26 kicks off with one game on the schedule Friday night.  Kasımpaşa host Beşiktaş, who now find themselves in third place in the league table.  The Black Eagles are just four points out of first place after coming on late in the season to gain momentum. 

Three games are on the schedule Saturday, including a crucial battle for Manisaspor.  They host IBBSpor, and Manisa desperately need points to avoid relegation.  With 24 points, they're in serious danger with time running out.  Also Saturday, Diyarbakırspor host Antalyaspor in front of an empty stadium.  Diyarbakır have been embroiled in controversy recently and could face automatic relegation.  Saturday's spectator-less match is part of a punishment handed to the club by the Turkish Football Federation.

Sunday's schedule also features three matches, highlighted by a battle of old rivals in Trabzon.  League runners-up Galatasaray take on Trabzonspor at 19:00 local time.  The Lions have led the league table for much of 2010, but Bursaspor leap-frogged them earlier this week.  The Lions can retake the lead, at least for a day, with a victory in Trabzon. 

One game is on the schedule Monday, with league leaders Bursaspor hosting Denizlispor.  As mentioned, Bursa can hang on to their lead at the top with a win over the Roosters.  The Green Crocs have never won a league title, but Galatasaray and Beşiktaş are right on their tails.  Only time will tell if Bursa can maintain their poise down the stretch to become just the fifth different team to win a Turkcell Süper Lig title.  Here is the full schedule for this weekend:

Friday, March 19th:

Kasımpaşa vs. Beşiktaş -  20:00

Saturday, March 20th:

Manisaspor vs. IBBSpor - 14:00

Diyarbakırspor vs. Antalyaspor - 14:00

Fenerbahçe vs. Gaziantepspor - 19:00

Sunday, March 21st:

Sivasspor vs. Gençlerbirliği - 14:00

Ankaragücü vs. Kayserispor - 14:00

Trabzonspor vs. Galatasaray - 19:00

Monday, March 22nd:

Bursaspor vs. Denizlispor - 20:00