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Turkish Super Lig | Gameweek 26
Mar 17, 2023 at 5pm UK
Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu
Galatasaray

Konyaspor
2 - 1
Galatasaray

Dikmen (62'), Ulgun (90+3')
Madatov (15'), Oguz (15'), Calvo (69'), Cekici (89'), Ulgun (90+4'), Sehic (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rashica (31')
Icardi (36'), Kutlu (36'), Boey (61'), Muslera (90+4')

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

Sports Mole previews Friday's Turkish Super Lig clash between Konyaspor and Galatasaray, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The unbeatable force of Galatasaray travel to face Konyaspor next as they aim to continue their incredible winning run on Friday.

Gala sit nine points clear at the top of the Super Lig, while Konyaspor are on a woeful run of form.


Match preview

Galatasaray's Mauro Icardi celebrates scoring their second goal with Dries Mertens on February 5, 2023© Reuters

With a team of superstars all over the pitch, Galatasaray are now on a run of 16 matches won in succession across all competitions.

Their nearest rivals Fenerbahce have still performed superbly but just cannot keep up with this Gala machine, as Okan Buruk's side have moved nine points ahead.

No European football to distract them has almost certainly helped, as Galatasaray have only played one game a week more often than not, while Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor and Istanbul Basaksehir have all been in action on the continent in the last few weeks.

They did have to battle through one of their most unconvincing wins during their sensational run last weekend though at home to Kasimpasa.

Nicolo Zaniolo's debut goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Gala, as they just managed to keep hold of their winning streak, just like they did in recent narrow wins over Umraniyespor and 10-man Antalyaspor.

It makes it even more remarkable, but also shows how their squad is stacked full of talent arguably playing in a league below their level, that no player has reached double figures for them yet in the league, despite them scoring 51 goals so far.

Mauro Icardi is the club's top scorer with nine, but he is down in eighth in the league's goalscoring standings.

Despite the dreadful form of their upcoming opponents though, Galatasaray have lost on their last two trips to Konya.

Even the most optimistic of Konyaspor supporters are unlikely to use that little caveat to give them some belief in this one though.

They still sit in a very respectable eighth place, which is incredible considering they have not won since before the World Cup break.

Being awarded a 3-0 walkover against Hatayspor, who have had to pull out of the league, looks important as it stopped their slide for one week at least.

The week previously, a 0-0 draw with relegation candidates Giresunspor halted a run of six straight defeats, but even then that was still an underwhelming result.

They have not scored a goal in five games, meaning it is not surprising to see that no side outside the relegation zone have scored fewer than them.

A very strong start has helped keep them away from trouble in terms of league position, but the league continues to get even tighter in the relegation fight, as they are just seven points clear of the drop zone despite being eight places above it.

Their form here at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium has been a huge let-down for them, as only the top three have a better away record than Aleksandar Stanojevic's side.

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:


Team News

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk on February 5, 2023© Reuters

Zaniolo could come into the Galatasaray side after his match-winning impact off the bench last week against Kasimpasa.

It could be a straight swap for Juan Mata, who went off injured in the first half of that game and is doubtful here.

Dries Mertens is a doubt having missed the last two games, but with the likes of Icardi, Kerem Akturkoglu, Milot Rashica and Bafetimbi Gomis at their disposal, they should be able to manage without the Belgian.

Fredrik Midtsjo and Yusuf Demir are among the other players who are doubtful for the visitors.

Konyaspor will welcome Mame Biram Diouf back from suspension after he was sent off at Fenerbahce two weeks ago.

Konrad Michalak will be unavailable for the hosts after he went off injured in the same game in Istanbul.

Michalak has a similar muscular issue which will also see Uche Ikpeazu ruled out of this clash.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Oguz, Demirbag, Calvo, Guilherme Sitya; Dikmen, Bouchalakis, Pozuelo; Moreno, Demir, Diouf

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Adekugbe; Torreira, Sergio Oliveira, Zaniolo; Akgun, Icardi, Akturkoglu


SM words green background

We say: Konyaspor 0-2 Galatasaray

Galatasaray's long winning streak looks set to continue against one of the most out of form sides in the division.

Konyaspor may be boosted by the recent return of Muhammet Demir up front, but their recent attacking profligacy is extremely concerning.


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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Game History

How you voted: Konyaspor vs Galatasaray

Konyaspor
11.3%
Draw
6.5%
Galatasaray
82.3%
62
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1GalatasarayGalatasaray34303180215993
2Fenerbahce33275187305786
3TrabzonsporTrabzonspor331741256431355
4BesiktasBesiktas33156124438651
5Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul33147124438649
6Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor33146134349-648
7KasimpasaKasimpasa33137135559-446
8AntalyasporAntalyaspor331112103838045
9AlanyasporAlanyaspor331112104346-345
10SivassporSivasspor331112104045-545
11Adana Demirspor34914114947241
12Samsunspor33109143743-639
13AnkaragucuAnkaragucu33813124043-337
14KayserisporKayserispor331010133747-1037
15KonyasporKonyaspor33812133447-1336
16GaziantepGaziantep3397173750-1334
17Fatih KaragumrukKaragumruk3389163742-533
18Hatayspor33712143746-933
19Pendikspor3379173768-3130
RIstanbulspor3347222661-3516


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