Galatasaray will be looking to take another step towards being crowned Turkish Super Lig champions when they make the trip across Istanbul to take on Istanbulspor on Tuesday evening.
The visitors are top of the table, in a fantastic position to win the league with just four games left to play, while the hosts' aim will be to create some more breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Istanbulspor have struggled for vast swathes of the Turkish Super Lig season, after being promoted from the second tier last term, but they have now put themselves in a fantastic position to avoid relegation.
The People's Team are undefeated in their last four games, collecting eight points in the process, and they really managed to impress in a 1-0 victory against high-flying Istanbul Basaksehir, which kick-started their resurgence.
Fatih Tekke's side are now up to 14th in the Turkish Super Lig, seven points clear of the relegation zone with just four games to play, meaning they are likely to retain their status as a top-flight club.
The job is not done yet, however, as Istanbulspor have the unenviable task of taking on Galatasaray on Tuesday night, a side they have failed to beat in their last eight matches, losing 2-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
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It is not only Istanbulspor that Galatasaray have impressed against this season, with the league leaders well on course to win their first league title since 2021, having been on a fantastic run of form in the second half of the season.
The Conqueror of Europe have collected 52 points from their last 20 league games, six more than any other side has managed during that time period, meaning they are now five points clear of second-placed Fenerbahce.
Okan Buruk's side have been well-regimented defensively, which has been the key to their success, conceding just 26 goals across the entire season, four fewer than any other side in the Turkish top flight.
Not only that, but Galatasaray have also been very impressive on the front foot, racking up 6-0 victories against Kayserispor and Istanbulspor in recent times, albeit the latter game was a friendly.
Last time out, Buruk's side had to win a different way, managing to withstand pressure at home against Basaksehir to hold out for a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a first-half penalty from Mauro Icardi.
Team News
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Istanbulspor will have to make do without centre-back Simon Deli, as the 31-year-old was shown a straight red card against Giresunspor last time out, meaning Mehmet Yesil is likely to slot into the back four.
Despite playing in a side that have struggled for much of the season, Valon Ethemi has been fantastic for Tekke's side, scoring 12 league goals, and the left-winger should get the nod again, in what could well be a 4-1-4-1 system.
As for Galatasaray, Icardi has been in sensational form as of late, scoring seven goals in his last six games, and the striker will lead the line again, being supported by Dries Mertens in an attacking midfield role, with a 4-2-3-1 formation set to be implemented.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Buruk's side, meaning the manager is likely to stick with the team that emerged victorious against Basaksehir last time out.
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Duhaney, Erdogan, Yesil, Yasar; Ba, Eyenga-Lokilo, Ergun, Rroca, Ethemi; Eze
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Karatas; Torreira, Oliveira, Rashica, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi
We say: Istanbulspor 0-3 Galatasaray
Although Istanbulspor have started to show signs of improvement in recent weeks, they are no match for Galatasaray, who are in a fantastic position to win the title.
As such, we expect the visitors to record a comfortable victory, with Icardi likely to get on the scoresheet again, given his incredible recent record in front of goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
