Galatasarayvs.Bodrumspor

Cimbom continued their title charge with a composed 2-0 victory away to Samsunspor last time out, ensuring they kept Fenerbahce at bay in second place.

Match preview

Galatasaray approached their trip to Samsunspor with a point to prove, knowing it was one of the tougher away fixtures remaining in a season fast approaching its climax.

They rose to the occasion with a composed performance, sealed by goals from Yunus Akgun and Victor Osimhen, with the latter's strike taking his tally to 21 goals for the campaign and extending his lead at the top of the scoring charts by two.

Manager Okan Buruk will be demanding more of the same as the season nears its business end, and a home fixture against Bodrumspor presents an ideal opportunity to notch back-to-back league wins following their derby defeat to Besiktas.

Cimbom edged the reverse fixture 1-0, but this time face a determined Bodrumspor side still scrapping for survival in their debut top-flight season.

However, Galatasaray have been imperious at Rams Park, the hosts boast the second-best home record in the league, collecting 33 points from 13 matches (10 wins, three draws) and remain the only side unbeaten on home soil this Super Lig campaign.

Bodrumspor, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Antalyaspor last time out in a cagey affair, leaving them on 34 points, just three clear of the drop zone.

Jose Morais's men have found a spark since February, suffering only one defeat in their last nine league outings, with five wins and three draws.

This impressive run has been built on defensive resilience, with Bodrum keeping clean sheets in all but one of those matches, with the exception being a 4-2 defeat to Fenerbahce on March 28.

Bodrumspor are unbeaten in their last four away games, picking up three wins and a draw, scoring four and conceding none, a streak that should offer some encouragement ahead of Friday's daunting trip to the capital.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

W

W

L

W

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

Bodrumspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

W

L

W

D

Bodrumspor form (all competitions):

Team News

Galatasaray remain without star striker Mauro Icardi, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear and is not expected to return this season.

Roland Sallai misses out due to suspension, having accumulated too many bookings - however, Przemyslaw Frankowski returns to the squad after serving his own one-match ban and is likely to slot straight back into the starting XI.

Kaan Ayhan and Elias Jelert remain out through injury, although neither are regular starters in Buruk's preferred line-up.

Bodrumspor will be without Musah Mohammed and Kerem Ersunar due to injury, with Fredy expected to start in midfield in Mohammed's absence.

Taulant Seferi impressed on the right wing against Antalyaspor and is set to retain his spot, with George Puscas likely to lead the line up front.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Frankowski, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Akgun; Osimhen

Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:

Sousa; Celustka, Ajeti, Aytemur, Sen; Fredy, Antalyali; Okita, Bardhi, Seferi; Puscas

We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Bodrumspor

Galatasaray are expected to dominate this contest and possess the attacking quality to break down Bodrumspor's otherwise resilient defence.

Written by

Joshua Cole

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