In a bid to remain within the race for the Tremendous Lig title, Galatasaray is about to face Sivasspor on Thursday night. Presently, Galatasaray and their long-standing rivals Fenerbahce have established a 14-point lead over their closest competitor within the Turkish prime flight, whereas Sivasspor sits comfortably in mid-table.
Match Preview
After a goalless draw within the intercontinental derby in opposition to Fenerbahce simply earlier than Christmas, Galatasaray had the chance to compete for the Tremendous Kupa in opposition to their cross-city rivals in Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, on account of a diplomatic incident, the match was referred to as off on the final minute. Gala returned dwelling and targeted on their Sunday recreation in opposition to struggling Tremendous Lig staff Konyaspor.
Regardless of dominating possession and shot counts, it took Galatasaray over an hour to interrupt by means of their opponent’s protection within the recreation in opposition to Konyaspor.
Central defender Abdulkerim Bardakci opened the scoring, and late objectives from Wilfried Zaha and Bardakci secured a 3-0 victory.
With this win, Galatasaray stays stage on factors with Fenerbahce, each accumulating 47 factors from simply 18 video games. It’s evident that these two Istanbul giants shall be locked in a battle for the highest spot all through the season.
Galatasaray’s strong defensive document, having conceded just one objective of their final six matches because the thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester United within the Champions League, has been their strongest asset.
Consequently, their upcoming opponents, Sivasspor, who’re the lowest-scoring staff within the prime half of the Tremendous Lig desk, shouldn’t pose a major menace to the Lions.
Sivasspor didn’t safe any factors from their league fixtures in opposition to Galatasaray final season and have received solely as soon as of their final ten away matches on the Ali Sami Yen stadium.
Nevertheless, as hosts, they’ve received three out of their final six conferences in opposition to Galatasaray, and they are going to be hoping to trigger an upset on Thursday.
Bulent Uygun’s Sivasspor has had an inconsistent season, by no means comfortably escaping the relegation zone.
Nevertheless, current victories over Istanbulspor and high-flying Kayserispor have propelled them to tenth place within the standings. Notably, Sivasspor has excelled in away matches, successful half of their video games on the highway in comparison with only one victory at dwelling.
Their wrestle to attain objectives has resulted in a number of attracts, giving them the third-lowest factors whole for dwelling groups this season.
Latest type:
Sivasspor: D, L, W, L, W, W
Galatasaray: W, W, W, W, D, W
Staff Information:
Galatasaray shall be with out star striker Mauro Icardi on account of a facial fracture sustained through the Istanbul derby.
Sergio Oliviera can also be sidelined with a muscular harm, whereas Baris Alper Yilmaz is suspended on account of yellow-card accumulation.
Hakim Ziyech and Cedric Bakambu have left to characterize Morocco and DR Congo, respectively, within the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nevertheless, Wilfried Zaha shall be out there for Galatasaray as he was not referred to as up by the Ivory Coast nationwide staff.
Lucas Torreira and Sacha Boey will return from suspension, and Colombian center-back Davinson Sanchez is match and will function on the bench.
Sivasspor shall be lacking Ahmed Musa and Clinton N’Jie on account of worldwide responsibility on the AFCON.
Moreover, Rey Manaj, who has been in superb type, will serve a one-match ban. Modou Barrow or Bengali-Fode Koita are more likely to fill within the center-forward position for Sivasspor.
Doable Lineups:
Sivasspor:
Varal;
Okumus, Osmanpasa, Camara, Ciftci;
Arslan, Charisis;
Gokay, Saiz, Barrow;
Koita
Galatasaray:
Muslera;
Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Karatas;
Demirbay, Torreira;
Zaha, Mertens, Akturkoglu;
Dervisoglu
Prediction:
Contemplating Galatasaray’s relentless pursuit of factors, they’re anticipated to defeat Sivasspor, who wrestle to supply outcomes at dwelling. Regardless of a couple of absentees, Galatasaray’s star-studded squad is just too sturdy.
- OurPrediction: Sivasspor 1-3 Galatasaray