Galatasaray vs Goztepe

The only team that has not lost a game in the Turkish Super Lig, Galatasaray, will be playing at Rams Park Motomatch on Saturday against Goztepe SK one of the revelations this season.

The hosts remain at a comfortable position in the league table with a comfortable eight-point lead over the chasing pack – on the other hand, despite being a staggering 16 points behind the team in front of them, the visitors can derive a lot of pride from the fact that they are occupying the fourth position in the league table at this juncture of the competition.

Crystal clear, Galatasaray did not end year 2024 in poor fashion as they produced a champions’ display to thrash Kayserispor 5-1 before the Christmas break.

Cimbom received Victor Osimhen back from the injury prior to the game, and the talented stalker responded by scoring two goals; Baris Yilmaz also claimed two goals, but Yunus Akgun also joined the list of goal scorers.

Third-placed Fenerbahce failed to capitalise on this lead when they were held to a draw by Eyupspor, and Gala took full advantage to go eight points clear at the top, and with 70% of the season already played, Gala have 44 points from 16 games.

Having become the first Turkish club to score 100 points on their charge to the previous season’s title, Okan Buruk’s side looks determined to set more records this season – they are on course to become the first Turkish team to go through a league season unbeaten though Galatasaray themselves are well known to have come close to doing it during the 1985-86 season but did not quite get the League title.

Seeking to make a flying start in 2025, Gala will turn their attention toward a sixth successive win against the visitors – however, there remains cause for concern, as the only two matches in which the hosts were to surrender points this season has been at their own ‘backyard’.

But with only one win from eight away games and seven wins from as many home games, Stanimir Stoilov's team has struggled on the road, making an upset seem increasingly unlikely.

The previous time Goztepe defeated Galatasaray away was in 1972, when they won by a slim 1-0 margin, one of just three victories in 35 games played at Gala.

With 28 points from 18 games, Goztepe is now in fourth place. They will look to improve on their recent league success of 3-0 at home against Caykur Rizespor.

The lone player missing for Galatasaray going into this match is Mauro Icardi, who is anticipated to be out until the next season due to a cruciate ligament damage.

As he leads the line on Saturday, Osimhen will want to increase his league goal total to nine, and Yilmaz will try to maintain his strong goal-scoring performance.

Isaac Solet, who is sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury, and Kubilay Kanatsizkus, who is recovering from an ankle ailment, will be absent for Goztepe.

David Datro Fofana, a Chelsea loanee, is also not playing on Saturday because he is recovering from a thigh injury that will likely keep him out until the end of January.