ANKARA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- One of the biggest match-ups of the week takes place Thursday night in Istanbul with Fenerbahce Ulker hosting Eldo Napoli in a make-or-break basketball showdown for a potential Top 16 spot in Group C, Turkish Daily News reported on Thursday.

Both teams are now tied for the sixth place in Group C, each with a 5-7 record, so it comes as no surprise that the winner will take a crucial step toward entering the next round.

In order to advance, Fenerbahce must win once more and hope that Benetton Treviso loses twice. Otherwise it needs to win Thursday night and once more and hope either Aris TT Bank or Pau Orthez loses twice.

In their last meeting in December, Fenerbahce toppled Napoli 83-78 with 29 points from Kaspars Kambala and a Euroleague season-high 21 rebounds from Mirsad Turkcan, who is back in action this evening after missing three games due to an elbow injury.

Former Ulker guard Jeff Trepagnier will have the tough mission of guarding Ibrahim Kutluay, while guard Tyrone Ellis and do-it-all swingman Michel Morandais will be ready to shine on offense.

Above all, both teams are in a do-or-die situation, so expect a sellout crowd in Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall trying to help Fenerbahce reach bigger heights against a tough opponent.

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