Galatasaray will host Caykur Rizespor in round five of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season at Adams Park on Saturday, looking to keep their winning run going.
The hosts have won all three matches in the new league season so far, while the visitors are coming into this clash on the back of defeat in their last two games.
Match preview
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Galatasaray continued their unbeaten streak in the Super Lig, securing their most impressive victory of the season with a 5-1 triumph over Adana Demirspor.
This win followed earlier 2-1 victories against Hatayspor and Konyaspor, placing them in second place with nine points, just one point behind league leaders and arch-rivals Fenerbahce, who have played one more game.
During the international break, Galatasaray remained active, with Michy Batshuayi scoring a hat-trick in an 8-3 friendly win over second tier side Erokspor.
As the Lions strive for their third consecutive title and 25th overall, they will aim to extend their unbeaten run for as long as they can, with Rizespor being the next challenge on home soil.
Although they have won the last four encounters against visitors, Galatasaray's recent home form, with only one win and two defeats in their last three matches across all competitions, suggests that an upset is possible.
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Caykur Rizespor's promising start to the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season has been derailed by defeats in their last two matches.
After drawing with Istanbul Basaksehir and beating Adana in their opening matches, the Black Sea Sparrowhawk suffered a heavy 5-0 loss at home to Fenerbahce, and they followed this with a 1-0 defeat against Kasimpasa in their most recent league outing.
With just four points from four matches and six goals conceded in their last two games while scoring none, Rizespor find themselves in 12th position in the table.
Manager Ilhan Palut will be keen to avoid a third consecutive defeat, which would be their first such run since February when they lost to Sivasspor, Fenerbahce, and Samsunspor within two weeks.
Team News
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Galatasaray will be without last season's Super Lig top scorer, Mauro Icardi, who is sidelined with a back injury until the latter part of this month.
However, there are several options available to replace him – Batshuayi, who bagged a hat trick before the break, and high-profile loan signing, Victor Osimhen, who could make his debut for the club.
Rizespor will head into this clash without left-winger Benhur Keser, who ruptured his tendon last month and will be out until November.
With the team lacking goals, all eyes will be on Ali Sowe to deliver the goods as he is expected to lead the line for the visitors once again.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Jelert, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Ziyech; Osimhen
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Hojer; Akintola, Papanikolaou; Varesanovic, Olawoyin, Zeqiri; Sowe
We say: Galatasaray 3-0 Caykur Rizespor
Galatasaray found their stride in their last match and have bolstered their attacking options, making them even more formidable favorites heading into this encounter.
Rizespor have appeared disjointed in their last two matches and seem to lack creativity, which does not bode well for them against a team as strong as Gala, and it looks like another resounding victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
