Galatasaray will resume their quest for another Turkish Super Lig title when they welcome relegation-threatened Pendikspor to Rams Park on Sunday evening.
The hosts have a two-point lead at the top of the table with six matches left, while the visitors are in the drop zone, three points away from safety.
Match preview
Galatasaray extended their winning run in the Super Lig to 13 matches after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Alanyaspor at Bahcesehir Okulları Arena.
The first half ended goalless but the Lions raised their game in the second half, scoring four goals within 17 minutes with Baris Yilmaz grabbing a brace while Hakim Ziyech and Mauro Icardi scored one each.
With six games remaining, Okan Buruk's side know they cannot afford any slip-ups with Fenerbahce breathing down their necks. They have 87 points after 32 matches while dropping points in just four games (three draws and one defeat) so far.
Gala will return to home soil this weekend, a place where they have a perfect record. The Lions have 16 wins from as many games at RAMS Park in the Super Lig, picking up the most points at home this season, nine more than the team with the second-best home record.
The hosts have only met Sunday's opponents twice in the past, with one of the matches being a friendly. Their first competitive meeting came earlier this season when Gala won 2-0 and will now be looking to complete the double.
Pendikspor put up a great fight but still lost 3-2 to Istanbul Basaksehir last Sunday, in a game they played over half an hour with ten men.
Mame Thiam gave Ibrahim Uzulmez's side the lead but Basaksehir's Joao Figueiredo grabbed a brace to turn it around before Fredrik Midtsjo restored parity for Pendikspor.
However, things went sour for Pendikspor when Welinton was sent off for a second bookable offence two minutes before the hour mark. The one-man disadvantage eventually hurt them when Dimitris Pelkas scored the winner for Basaksehir with ten minutes of normal time left to play.
They currently sit in 19th place with 30 points, three points from safety while conceding the most goals in the league so far (64).
Things could get worse for Pendikspor when they visit Galatasaray on Sunday; they are winless in their last 10 away matches in the Super Lig and have picked up just 12 points from 16 games on the road so far.
Team News
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The hosts have a full squad ahead of Sunday's clash as no injury or suspension has been reported.
Icardi took his tally to 19 goals last time out and should spearhead the attack for Gala once again, as he looks to catch up with Fenerbahce's Edin Dzeko, who is the league's top scorer with 20 goals.
Welinton is the only reported absentee for the visitors for this fixture as he serves a match ban for his dismissal against Basaksehir.
Umut Nayir is expected in attack once again, while Thiam, who is third on the top scorer's chart with 16 goals, is expected to play from the left flank.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Kohn, Nelsson, Kutlu, Ayhan; Torreira, Demirbay; Akturkoglu, Mertens, Yilmaz; Icardi
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Asan, Ozturk, Akca, Sequeira; Ndiaye, Midtsjo; Akbunar, Kaya, Thiam; Nayir
We say: Galatasaray 3-1 Pendikspor
We are predicting a landslide victory for Galatasaray. They are in top form at home while Pendikspor struggles in away fixtures. Expect a dominant performance from the Lions with a comfortable margin of victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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