Two sides on different trajectories in the Turkish Super Lig will face off when league leaders Galatasaray welcome Trabzonspor to Ram Park on Monday in one of Turkey's biggest football rivalries.
The hosts are unbeaten in the Super Lig this term, having won 12 and drawn two of their 14 matches, while the visitors have drawn half their 14 league matches, while winning just three.
Match preview
Galatasaray were in action last Thursday in the Europa League and were on course for another victory until they conceded a stoppage-time goal which saw them settle for a 2-2 draw away at Swedish side Malmo.
The Lions have had keenly contested games for over a month now, either winning by a goal margin or settling for a draw in their last nine matches across all competitions, an example of which was their most recent Super Lig game against Sivasspor that they edged 3-2.
It was a show of resilience from Okan Buruk's side who lost centre-back Metehan Baltaci early in the game to a 16th-minute red card, and had to come from a goal down after conceding nine minutes after the incident.
While the manager reserved accolades for his team, he was not impressed with the refereeing despite seeing his side go six points clear at the top of the Super Lig table after second-placed Fenerbahce dropped points in the same game week.
Though dealing with injuries to star strikers Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen at the moment, Galatasaray will have to weather the storm in what is expected to be a fierce game against Trabzonspor, a side that they have beaten in their last three meetings.
The Lions dropped points in their league game at home against Eyupspor, but they have won six of their eight home matches in the Super Lig this season, a dominance they will hope to continue.
After finishing third last season, there were high hopes for Trabzonspor to push for the title in this campaign, but the Black Sea Storm are instead hoping to avoid falling into the relegation zone.
The seven-time Turkish Super Lig champions are just two points and two spots above the drop zone, having amassed 16 points from 14 matches, while picking up just one win in their last six matches, and losing four games within that period.
Senol Gunes's side are coming into Monday's game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Kasimpasa, in a game they failed to hold on to the lead, conceding in stoppage time after initially turning the game around with two goals within three second-half minutes.
The Black Sea Storm face their biggest test yet, and a loss here could see them end this game week in the relegation zone if at least two of the three teams directly below them win their games.
The visitors are without a win after seven away matches, though the last time they recorded a win in this fixture was in 2022 and it was on this ground.
Team News
The hosts will line up without Osimhen, who has been ruled out for two weeks, and Icardi, who is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, leaving Michy Batshuayi as the prime candidate to lead the attack.
Buruk is dealing with a host of injuries right now, including that of 24-year-old Baris Yilmaz who has been sidelined until the New Year with a thigh strain, and Ismail Jakobs who is also out until next month with an issue to his tendon.
In the backline, former Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez, and Kaan Ayhan are both out until later this month with muscle injuries, while Baltaci is suspended after his red card against Sivasspor.
Meanwhile, the only potential absentee for Trabzonspor is Stefan Savic who is hoping to fully recover from a hamstring injury.
The Super Lig's joint-top scorer, Simon Banza, who has scored nine league goals, is expected to lead the line once again.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Nelsson, Yesilyurt, Bardakci; Kutlu, Torreira, Sara, Jelert; Akgun, Mertens; Batshuayi
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Malheiro, Batagov, Turkmen, Bosluk; Gunes, Mendy; Dragus, Cham, Canak; Banza
We say: Galatasaray 2-1 Trabzonspor
Given the injuries that Galatasaray are dealing with right now, the game could be closer than expected, though we expect the hosts to still have enough to pick up a win here against a Trabzonspor side that are lacking in inspiration and confidence.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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