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

Konyaspor will be aiming to end a five-game winless run in all competitions when they play host to Galatasaray on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to claim a third consecutive victory at the weekend, while they can also extend their unbeaten run of five matches.

Match preview

© Reuters

Second-placed Konyaspor have experienced a downturn in fortunes in recent weeks, which has put their place in the top two under threat.

Having suffered three defeats in their last four matches, confidence will be low in the Konyaspor dressing room, especially after falling to a 5-1 defeat against Alanyaspor last weekend.

Konyaspor did grab the opener in that contest before Alanyaspor ran riot, scoring four goals in 16 minutes to take a comfortable lead into half time.

Eray Birnican was sent off in the second period to compound Konyaspor's miserable afternoon, while a goal from Oguz Aydin completed the 5-1 drubbing.

Despite their recent run of poor form, Konyaspor still hold the second-best home record in the Super Lig, and they will be looking to clinch a 10th home league victory of the season on Saturday.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, looked to have turned a corner in recent weeks after claiming back-to-back victories.

Saturday's visitors followed an away victory over Goztepe with a 4-2 home win against Caykur Rizespor last weekend.

Gedson Fernandes gave the visitors the lead before Patrick Van Aanholt levelled the encounter, but a Tyler Boyd strike saw Galatasaray fall behind once again.

When Bafetimbi Gomis missed a spot kick, it seemed as though Caykur Rizespor would emerge victorious, but the hosts did eventually convert from the spot thanks to Ryan Babel's penalty before Van Aanholt scored for the second time in the encounter to give Galatasaray the lead.

Gomis wrapped up the points in stoppage time to move Galatasaray away from the relegation zone, and the 12th-placed side will look to continue their climb up the table with a victory on Saturday.

Team News

© Reuters

Eray Birnican is suspended for the contest after the substitute goalkeeper received a red card despite not being on the pitch last weekend.

Sokol Cikalleshi and Endri Cekici were both introduced at half time in the defeat to Alanyaspor, and the pair could come into the starting lineup for Saturday's contest.

After serving a one-match suspension last weekend, Amir Hadziahmetovic is expected to return to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Isik Kaan Arslan and Mbaye Diagne are both absent due to injury issues.

After making an impact from the bench last weekend, Gomis and Babel could both come into the starting XI for the weekend contest.

Meanwhile, Barcelona loanee Inaki Pena will continue in goal after starting the last four games for Galatasaray.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Skubic, Demirbag, Bardakci, Guilherme; Cikalleshi, Hadziahmetovic, Dikmen, Cekici, Bytyqi; Koka

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Pena; Elabdellaoui, Nelsson, Marcao, Van Aanholt; Kutlu, Antalyali; Akturkoglu, Cicaldau, Babel; Gomis

We say: Konyaspor 1-2 Galatasaray

Galatasaray edged out Konyaspor in the reverse fixture and with the hosts currently struggling to find form, we think that the visitors could take advantage as they bid to claim a third consecutive victory.

Previews by email