The only team yet to taste defeat in the Turkish Super Lig, Galatasaray, will welcome one of the season's surprise packages, Goztepe SK, to Rams Park on Saturday in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
The hosts sit comfortably at the top of the league table, boasting an eight-point advantage over their nearest challengers – meanwhile, the visitors, though trailing by 16 points, can take pride in their impressive fourth-place standing at this stage of the campaign.
Match preview
Galatasaray ended the year 2024 on a high note, delivering a performance worthy of champions in their emphatic 5-1 demolition of Kayserispor just before Christmas.
Cimbom welcomed back Victor Osimhen from injury, and the prolific striker made an immediate impact with a brace, with Baris Yilmaz also netting twice, while Yunus Akgun joined the party to complete a dominant display.
With second-placed Fenerbahce dropping points in their draw against Eyupspor, Gala capitalised to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points, amassing an impressive 44 points from 16 matches.
After becoming the first Turkish club to achieve a century of points on their way to the title last season, Okan Buruk's side seem determined to break new ground this campaign – they are on course for an invincible league win, something no Turkish side has accomplished, though Galatasaray themselves famously went unbeaten in 1985-86 but fell short of clinching the title.
Looking to start 2025 with a flourish, Gala will set their sights on a sixth consecutive victory over the visitors – however, there is room for caution, as both occasions where the hosts dropped points this season occurred on home soil.
Meanwhile, Goztepe, who earned promotion back to the top flight this season, will hope to make a significant statement by achieving what no team has managed so far – claiming a win at Rams Park.
Stanimir Stoilov's side, however, have struggled on their travels, securing just one victory from eight away games compared to seven wins in as many matches at home, making an upset look increasingly unlikely.
Goztepe's last away victory against Galatasaray dates back to 1972, a narrow 1-0 triumph that was one of only three wins in 35 attempts on Gala's turf.
Currently sitting in fourth place with 28 points from 18 matches, Goztepe will aim to build on their strong 3-0 home victory over Caykur Rizespor in their last league outing.
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Team News
Mauro Icardi, sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear, remains Galatasaray's only absentee ahead of this clash, with the striker not expected to return until next season.
Osimhen will aim to add to his tally of nine league goals as he leads the line on Saturday, while Yilmaz will look to continue his impressive goalscoring form.
Goztepe, meanwhile, will be without Kubilay Kanatsizkus, who is nursing an ankle injury and Isaac Solet, who is ruled out for the season due to an ACL injury.
Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana is also unavailable for Saturday's game as he recovers from a thigh injury expected to keep him sidelined until late January.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Akgun, Mertens, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Bokele, Heliton, Altikardes; Silva, Dennis, Miroshi, Bayrak; Hugo; Tijanic, Romulo
We say: Galatasaray 3-1 Goztepe SK
Galatasaray appear unstoppable at the moment, and we are anticipating another dominant performance and result from them, also considering the visitors' struggles to produce their best football away from home, we are predicting a comfortable victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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