MX23RW : Thursday, March 24 16:02:53| >> :600:442661:442661:
Mar 20, 2022 at 1pm UK at Gaziantep Arena
Gaziantep
3 - 1
Galatasaray
Djilobodji (45+4'), Maxim (71' pen.), Figueiredo (81')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Gomis (34')
Morutan (22'), Gomis (45+3'), Kilinc (66')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Turkish Super Lig clash between Gaziantep and Galatasaray, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Gaziantep will be aiming to end a seven-game winless run in all competitions when they play host to Galatasaray in the Super Lig on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after they were eliminated from the Europa League in midweek by Barcelona.


Match preview

Galatasaray's Marcao celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 17, 2022© Reuters

After 23 games, Gaziantep seemed set to emulate their ninth-placed finish from last season, but a six-game winless league run has seen Erol Bulut's side drop into the bottom half of the table.

In fact, they have picked up just two points in their previous six Super Lig matches, leaving them in 14th position ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures.

With eight points separating them from the relegation zone, Gaziantep may feel that they have enough points on the board, but Bulut will be desperate for his team to halt their current slide.

Their last outing resulted in a 2-1 away defeat against Giresunspor after Serginho and Chiquinho scored either side of an Alexandru Maxim penalty to guide the hosts to victory.

Gaziantep can be comforted by the fact that despite their recent results, they hold the third-best home record in the Super Lig after losing just once at home this season.

Galatasaray coach Domenec Torrent reacts on March 17, 2022© Reuters

Galatasaray, who have endured an underwhelming domestic campaign, will have to pick themselves up after they exited the Europa League in midweek.

Their tie against Barcelona was on a knife-edge after a goalless first leg in Spain, and the Turkish side got off to the best possible start on Thursday, with Marcao netting to put his side in front.

However, Pedri equalised before half time, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored what proved to be the winner in the 49th minute to end Galatasaray's European journey.

Torrent will now challenge his side to finish the league campaign strongly, with Galatasaray sitting in 10th place ahead of Sunday's contest.

After beating local rivals Besiktas in their most recent league outing, Sunday's visitors will be aiming to clinch back-to-back Super Lig victories against Gaziantep.

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L

Gaziantep form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W

Galatasaray form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L



Team News

Galatasaray's Kerem Akturkoglu celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 14, 2022© Reuters

The hosts are expected to be without Torgeir Borven and Alexander Merkel due to groin and knee problems respectively.

Injury issues are also expected to sideline Hamza Mendyl and Luka Stankovski, with the hosts set to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

Gaziantep's main goal threat will come from a front two made up of Muhammet Demir and Joao Figueiredo.

The visitors, meanwhile, are unable to call upon Omer Bayram and Mostafa Mohamed, who are both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Torrent is expected to opt for the same back four that started the second leg against Barcelona, but changes could be made elsewhere to freshen up the side.

Emre Kilinc and Sofiane Feghouli could replace Ryan Babel and Alexandru Cicaldau in the starting lineup.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Guvenc; Tosca, Caulker, Djilobodji; Ceylan, Maxim, Vetrih, Soyalp, Sagal; Demir, Figueiredo

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Pena, Boey, Nelsson, Marcao, Van Aanholt; Kilinc, Kutlu, Antalyali, Feghouli, Akturkoglu; Gomis


SM words green background

We say: Gaziantep 1-3 Galatasaray

Galatasaray won the reverse fixture in October, and with Gaziantep experiencing a poor run of form, we think that the visitors will claim back-to-back league victories on Sunday to become just the second side to win away against Gaziantep in the Turkish Super Lig this season.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data


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How you voted: Gaziantep vs Galatasaray

Gaziantep
20.0%
Draw
40.0%
Galatasaray
40.0%
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Barcelona coach Xavi during the match on March 10, 2022
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1TrabzonsporTrabzonspor30217258263270
2KonyasporKonyaspor30167748331555
3Fenerbahce30158750351553
4AlanyasporAlanyaspor3014795547849
5Adana Demirspor30139846321448
6Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul301451142311147
7Hatayspor30145114846247
8BesiktasBesiktas30121084439546
9Fatih KaragumrukKaragumruk30127113643-743
10AntalyasporAntalyaspor30118113436-241
11SivassporSivasspor301010104038240
12GaziantepGaziantep30117124042-240
13KasimpasaKasimpasa30108124543238
14KayserisporKayserispor30108124348-538
15GalatasarayGalatasaray30108124045-538
16Giresunspor30105153237-535
17Altay3085173143-1229
18Goztepe SKGoztepe SK3076173650-1427
19Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor3075182955-2626
20Yeni MalatyasporYeni M'spor3055202351-2820

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