Turkish Super Lig contenders, Galatasaray, will set sights on keeping the pressure on their rivals when they host Istanbul Basaksehir in a tantalising derby match-up on Saturday evening.
The hosts are on a seven-match winning run across all competitions, while the visitors have also won their last three games.
Match preview
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Galatasaray stretched their remarkable unbeaten streak in all competitions to 11 matches after a convincing 4-2 victory over Bandirmaspor, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup.
In their previous league outing, the Lions netted two early goals to secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Samsunspor, extending their winning run in the Super Lig to five matches.
Consequently, Okan Buruk's side remain level on points with league leaders Fenerbahce, trailing only on goal difference as the title race heats up.
The Lions return to the familiar territory of their home ground, where they have been flawless this season, boasting a perfect record of 12 wins from 12 league matches at Rams Park.
They welcome opponents they have dominated in their last three league meetings, scoring 10 goals while conceding just one in those encounters.
Meanwhile, Basaksehir progressed in the Turkish Cup via a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time against Hatayspor.
Back in the league, the Grey Owls secured their second consecutive victory with a 2-0 win over Istanbulspor, climbing to eighth place in the table with 33 points from 24 matches, four points adrift of the final European spot.
Cagdas Atan's men hit the road again, where they are currently unbeaten in their last four matches, with two wins and two draws, marking a significant improvement from their previous run of three consecutive defeats.
However, their trips to Rams Park have not been as fruitful, with only three wins recorded in their last eight visits there.
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Team News
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Galatasaray will be without Sergio Oliveira and Abdulkerim Bardakci, who are out with muscle and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Hakim Ziyech will have to pass a late fitness test as he currently suffers from a physical discomfort which makes him a doubt.
Mauro Icardi should lead the line for Lions again after starting the two matches.
Atan will also be unable to name the midfield duo of Efe Arda Koyuncu and 25-year-old Patryk Szysz, who have been ruled out through hamstring and ACL injuries respectively and are likely to miss the majority of the remainder of the campaign.
Krzysztof Piatek should lead the line once again as he looks to add to his 12 league goals this season.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Sanchez, B.A. Yilmaz; Demirbay, Torreira; Zaha, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Dubois, Duarte, Opoku, Lima; Ergun; Turuc, Ilkhan, Ozcan, Gurler; Piatek
We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Istanbul Basaksehir
Galatasaray's home record has been impeccable this season, making them favorites for this one. While the visitors are also in a good moment, we think the quality difference will see the hosts win this at the end.
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