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

Galatasaray will be aiming to end a six-game winless run in all competitions when they welcome Kayserispor to the Nef Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, enter the contest in a fine run of form having lost just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Match preview

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The hosts find themselves in an uncomfortable position, with just three points separating them from the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone.

One win from their last 13 league games has seen Galatasaray drift towards the bottom four, and despite a change of manager in January, their fortunes are yet to improve.

After starting his reign with three consecutive defeats, Domenec Torrent picked up his first point as Galatasaray boss last weekend.

Torrent's side travelled to Bahcesehir Okullari Stadium to face Alanyaspor last Saturday, and they fell behind in the 39th minute when Wilson Eduardo grabbed the opener, but Galatasaray hit back within two minutes through Kerem Akturkoglu and with neither side able to find a winner, the contest finished honours even.

The focus will now turn towards Saturday's fixture with the hosts aiming to end a run of three consecutive home league defeats.

As for Kayserispor, they will be aiming to clinch a third consecutive victory when they face Galatasaray on Saturday.

They were involved in a seven-goal thriller last weekend when they hosted Hatayspor, and it was the home side who took a lead into the break courtesy of Ibrahim Akdag's spot kick after Kayserispor had also missed a penalty earlier in the half.

Carlos Mane doubled the advantage after the restart before Dylan Saint-Louis pulled one back, but strikes from Emrah Bassan and Ugur Demirok gave Kayserispor some much-needed breathing room.

However, late goals from Simon Falette and Mame Diouf cut the deficit to one, but Kayserispor held firm to claim the three points, and their confidence was boosted further with a Turkish Cup win in midweek against Fenerbahce.

Despite playing the second half a man light following Demirok's dismissal, Hikmet Karaman's side progressed thanks to Ramazan Civelek's stoppage-time winner to give Saturday's visitors a first competitive away win since August.

Team News

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Injury issues mean that Mbaye Diagne, Fernando Muslera and Kaan Arslan will all be unavailable for the hosts.

Inaki Pena made his debut for the club last weekend, and the goalkeeper is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest.

After featuring in Egypt's run to the Africa Cup of Nations final, Mostafa Mohamed will return to the Galatasaray matchday squad, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

As for the visitors, Mame Thiam could come into the starting lineup after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kayserispor are, however, without Dimitris Kolovetsios and Bernard Mensah who are both long-term injury absentees.

Mert Cetin joined Kayserispor in January and after starting the last two matches in all competitions, the 25-year-old will feature in the backline once again on Saturday.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Pena; Boey, Nelsson, Marcao, Bayram; Kutlu, Pulgar, Cicaldau; Kilinc, Akturkoglu, Dervisoglu

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Lung Jr; Bulut, Demirok, Cetin, Carole; Bassan, Akdag, Parmak, Mane; Gavranovic, Thiam

We say: Galatasaray 1-1 Kayserispor

Kayserispor won the reverse fixture between the two sides courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 scoreline, and although we expect Saturday's contest to be closer, we think that the visitors will be able to hold their hosts to a draw.