Preview:Galatasaray vs Fatih Karagumruk - prediction, team news, lineups

Three-time defending champions Galatasaray are set for their first home fixture of the Turkish Super Lig season on Friday night, welcoming Fatih Karagumruk to Rams Park.

Cimbom began their title defence in perfect fashion, cruising to a 3-0 victory away at Gaziantep in the opening round.

Match preview

Fresh from lifting a record-extending 25th Super Lig crown, Galatasaray opened the 2025-26 campaign in the season curtain-raiser against Gaziantep last Friday, and they wasted no time stamping their authority.

Okan Buruk’s side faced attacking headaches going into the match, with club-record signing Victor Osimhen lacking match fitness, Mauro Icardi still sidelined, and Alvaro Morata finalising a move to Como.

Versatile forward Baris Yilmaz stepped into the striker role and delivered a standout display, scoring twice from the penalty spot and setting up Eren Elmali for the third goal.

With Fenerbahce and Besiktas not in action last weekend due to European commitments, Galatasaray’s early win offers them a psychological edge over their title rivals.

The champions will now aim to build on that momentum when they host Fatih Karagumruk for the first time since 2024, seeking to extend their seven-match unbeaten league run against Friday’s visitors.

Fatih Karagumruk’s return to the top flight was meant to begin with a home clash against Istanbul Basaksehir, but that game was postponed due to the latter’s European schedule.

Instead, their season opener comes in the toughest of environments, away to the reigning champions, after suffering relegation just one year ago in 2023-24.

The Black Red’s preseason preparations included a win, a draw, and a loss, most recently falling 4-2 to last season’s Super Lig side Bodrumspor, a far cry from the level they will face in Istanbul.

Still, Fatih can draw inspiration from their shock Turkish Cup triumph over Galatasaray in 2024, a rare feat they would love to repeat, with their last league victory over Cimbom coming at home in 2020.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

Fatih Karagumruk form (all competitions):

Team News

Fatih lost last season’s top scorer Wesley Moraes to a move to China but have reinforced the squad with several arrivals, including goalkeeper Fatih Kurucuk and left-back Jure Balkovec on free transfers.

Goalkeeper Enzo Roco has also joined, alongside striker Tiago Cukur and winger Mustafa Ozkoroglu for undisclosed fees.

For Galatasaray, new signing Leroy Sane impressed on debut against Gaziantep and is expected to keep his place.

Osimhen could feature for the first time this season after regaining fitness, though Icardi remains out injured.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Emali; Torreira, Lemina; Sane, Sara, Akgun; Yilmaz

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Kurucuk; Kose, Kurukalip, Parmaksiz, Balkovec; Cankaya, Doh; Camacho, Kalayci, Tugyan; Cukur

We say: Galatasaray 4-0 Fatih Karagumruk

Galatasaray are firm favourites heading into this clash even if they are without any of their main strikers, and having to stick with a makeshift forward.

With their strong home record and attacking quality expected to shine through, a comfortable win for the hosts looks likely, keeping their title push on track.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.