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Galatasaray will host Besiktas at Rams Park on Monday in a key match for the Turkish Super Lig.
Both teams are based in Istanbul and have a long-standing rivalry, making this derby one of the most closely followed fixtures in Turkish football.
The Galatasaray vs Besiktas game kicks off at 9 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Central European Time) with live coverage on Bein Sports 1.
Both teams enter the derby in strong form and are looking to maintain their unbeaten league records. Here’s a breakdown of their recent performance:
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Avg. Possession | Key Players (Goals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galatasaray | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3.0/game | 0.9/game | 57.4% | Icardi (6), Yılmaz (4) |
| Besiktas | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2.0/game | 0.9/game | 58.3% | Immobile (8), Fernandes (4) |
Both teams face lineup challenges due to injuries and suspensions, but their core players are expected to start. Below are the predicted lineups for the Galatasaray vs Besiktas match:
| Position | Galatasaray predicted lineup | Besiktas predicted lineup |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Fernando Muslera | Ersin Destanoglu (if Mert Gunok is unfit) |
| Defense | Kaan Ayhan, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Baris Yilmaz | Jonas Svensson, Felix Uduokhai, Emir Han Topcu, Arthur Masuaku |
| Midfield | Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Yunus Akgun | Gedson Fernandes, Cher Ndour |
| Attack | Mauro Icardi, Victor Osimhen, Dries Mertens | Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, Ernest Muci, Ciro Immobile |
Notable absences in Galatasaray vs Besiktas derby:
Each team has its standout players who could greatly impact the match:
Ahead of the derby, Okan Buruk dismissed speculation that a Galatasaray victory would make them early favorites to win the league, stating, “Why should the league be over? We’re only at the beginning. I don’t agree with comments that a win would end the season.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus throughout the long season, adding, “We’re taking each match seriously, both in Europe and the league, approaching it game by game.”
Buruk also cautioned his players about the risks of underestimating their opponents. “Everyone gave Lyon the upper hand, yet Besiktas won. We need to know we’re facing a good team and act accordingly,” he remarked, stressing that Besiktas’s recent European success highlights the unpredictable nature of football.
Score Prediction: Analysts predict a 2-1 scoreline for Galatasaray, given their offensive form and home advantage.
High-scoring potential: Galatasaray’s goal-scoring trend and Besiktas’ counterattacking capabilities make a high-scoring game likely.
Key stats:
| Category | Galatasaray | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 H2H matches | 5 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses | 4 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses |
| Home wins against Besiktas | 29 in Super Lig | 15 wins as the away team at Galatasaray |
| Last Super Cup match | 0-5 loss to Besiktas (August 2024) | 5-0 win over Galatasaray |
| Current unbeaten streak | 10 matches across all competitions | 3 matches, including two wins |
The Galatasaray vs Besiktas derby promises intense competition, with Galatasaray’s offensive power facing Besiktas’ disciplined defense.
Galatasaray seeks to extend their lead and avenge their Super Cup loss, while Besiktas aims to close the gap and bolster their league standing. Expect a high-energy match that could sway either way.
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