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Turkish Super Lig | Gameweek 19
Jan 7, 2024 at 4pm UK
Rams Global Stadium

Galatasaray
3 - 0
Konyaspor

Bardakci (63', 90+3'), Zaha (90')
Bardakci (37'), Yilmaz (79'), Ayhan (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Oliveira (51'), Demirbag (62'), Calvo (63')

Preview: Galatasaray vs. Konyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Galatasaray vs. Konyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Turkish Super Lig clash between Galatasaray and Konyaspor, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Super Lig title challengers Galatasaray welcome Konyaspor to Istanbul on Sunday evening, as the race for supremacy in Turkey continues.

Gala have not been in action since a drab goalless draw in the Intercontinental derby with Fenerbahce on December 24, but there has been plenty of drama since.


Match preview

While the initial derby was classed as a possible early title decider, the clash between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce failed to live up to expectations.

The sides were set to reconvene less than a week later, though, to battle it out for the Super Kupa in Saudi Arabia.

However, given it was the 100th anniversary of Turkey's independence, there were requests to play the national anthem and to showcase quotes from Ataturk, an integral figure behind the creation of modern-day Turkey.

Once the teams arrived in Saudi though, it became apparent that their hosts were unwilling to be so welcoming to their demands, banning the initial plans to celebrate the country's independence, leading to both sets of squads refusing to play, before returning home to Turkey.

In a rare show of solidarity between the two bitter rivals, the battle between them will restart with both back in league action this weekend.

The two clubs can not be separated at the moment, with both currently on 44 points following a sixth 0-0 draw in the derby in seven years.

That ended a four-game winning run in the league for Gala, but their defensive record remains excellent, as they have let in just one goal in their last five - a penalty against Adana Demirspor.

There is no doubt that it has become a two-horse race for the title, as there is a 14-point gap between the top two and Trabzonspor in third.

Konyaspor are the first of seven sides Okan Buruk's men will face during a hectic 21 days in January, and despite the visitors being the near drop zone, they have shown signs of improvement.

After a woeful start, Konyaspor have shown resilience to lift themselves out of the bottom four, with just one defeat in five games.

That run has seen them pick up a very valuable eight points, something which did not seem possible when a two-month spell between mid-September and mid-November saw Konyaspor win just two points in eight games.

The visitors have got an incredibly daunting pair of games this week, though, as this trip to Gala is instantly followed by an away game with Fener just three days later.

While two defeats are likely, Hakan Keles's side will remain in Istanbul for a third straight away game to face Istanbulspor next weekend in a pivotal clash near the bottom.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:


Galatasaray form (all competitions):


Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:


Team News

Both Lucas Torreira and Sacha Boey will be suspended for Galatasaray here after they received their fourth yellow cards of the season in the derby with Fenerbahce.

There are doubts surrounding the fitness of Kerem Akturkoglu, but Wilfried Zaha's snub from the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations means Buruk can still call upon the former Crystal Palace winger.

While Zaha will stay at Gala, Hakim Ziyech and Cedric Bakambu will depart to represent Morocco and DR Congo respectively, so Tete should start on the right of attack, while there is less backup behind Mauro Icardi up front.

Also on the injury front, Davinson Sanchez and Sergio Oliveira (both muscular) are set to miss out for the hosts.

Konyaspor themselves have a couple of injury problems coming into this one, but Gokhan Tore and Muhammet Demir are closing in on returns from long-term setbacks.

The visitors also have one of their squad members departing for AFCON, after midfielder Bruno Paz earned a call-up by Angola, despite injury disrupting much of his campaign so far.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Ayhan, Nelsson, Bardakci, B A Yilmaz; Demirbay, Ndombele; Tete, Mertens, Zaha; Icardi

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Ulgun, Demirbag, Calvo, Haubert; Dikmen, Yazgili, Cicaldau; Prip, Cikalleshi, Moreno


We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Konyaspor

Gala have been very professional in getting the job done against the weaker sides in the Super Lig, and while this may not be a drubbing, Buruk's men should comfortably claim the three points.

Konyaspor have remarkably won three in a row at home against Galatasaray, but it is a much different story here, as they have never won away to them in 24 attempts - losing 20.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:curl


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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1GalatasarayGalatasaray11101032112131
2Fenerbahce118212791826
3Samsunspor1281324131125
4EyupsporEyupspor126421811722
5BesiktasBesiktas116321910921
6Goztepe SKGoztepe SK115331913618
7SivassporSivasspor125251720-317
8Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul114431714316
9KasimpasaKasimpasa123541619-314
10KonyasporKonyaspor124261420-614
11AntalyasporAntalyaspor124261524-914
12Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor114161019-913
13TrabzonsporTrabzonspor112631214-212
14GaziantepGaziantep113351518-312
15KayserisporKayserispor112631116-512
16Bodrumspor123271016-611
17AlanyasporAlanyaspor11245914-510
18Hatayspor111371018-86
19Adana Demirspor11029925-162
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