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

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from suffering defeat in their last match.

Match preview

After enduring their lowest ever finish in the Turkish Super Lig by ending last campaign in 13th position, few could have foreseen Galatasaray's strong early season form coming this time around.

However, after winning the title with Istanbul Basaksehir in the 2019-20 season, Okan Buruk has made himself an instant hero at their city rivals in a matter of months after being appointed during the summer.

Five successive victories have moved Cimbom one point clear of Fenerbahce at the top of the division ahead of the midweek's round of fixtures, with Baris Yilmaz's injury-time strike providing them with a crucial win away to Sivasspor last Thursday.

As such, Buruk will expect nothing short of seeing his side claim all three points against Ankaragucu in midweek, especially with their arch rivals having an opportunity to overtake them 24 hours prior.

Ankaragucu, meanwhile, will be content with the start they have made to life back in the Turkish Super Lig having earned promotion last season.

Despite Mustafa Dalci, who guided them to the second tier's title last campaign, handing in his resignation in August, the Ankara-based side head into Turkey's midweek action one point clear of the danger zone.

Indeed, former Hatyaspor boss Omer Erdogan has steadied the ship somewhat, although the 45-year-old would have been hugely disappointed by his side's 2-1 defeat to rock-bottom Umranyie last Tuesday.

That loss has left them in a hugely vulnerable position ahead of their trip to the division's most in-form team, with positive results for a few of the sides below them potentially dragging them below the dotted lines by the end of the week.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

W

W

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

D

D

W

L

Team News

Galatasaray will be without Sacha Boey and Sergio Oliveira, whose yellow cards against Sivasspor last time out have earned them both a one-match suspension.

Kazimcan Karatas, Yunus Akgun, Mauro Icardi and Mathias Jensen are all injury doubts and unlikely to return to action until later in January.

Ankaragucu, meanwhile, will travel without Tolga Cigerci, who joins Boey and Oliveira on the naughty step after being booked against Umranyie last time out.

Erdogan may also remain without his first-choice goalkeeper Gokhan Akkan, who is sidelined with an injury.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Dubois, Nelsson, Bardakci, Van Aanholt; Kutlu, Torreira; Rashica, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Gomis

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Gungordu; Malcuit, Radakovic, Mujakic, Gureler; Kilinic, Zahid, Antalyali, Pedrinho, Jese; Sowe

We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Ankaragucu

Despite missing some important players through suspension and injury, this should be nothing less than a comfortable victory for Galatasaray.

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