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

The Yellow-Reds claimed a 2-1 success over Trabzonspor in their last top-flight game in February, and this weekend's visitors defeated Antalyaspor 3-1 on Monday.

Match preview

Galatasaray are back in action this weekend for the first time since the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey in February, welcoming Kasimpasa to Istanbul this weekend.

Okan Buruk's team were unstoppable before the hiatus, securing a 2-1 triumph over last season's Super Lig champions Trabzonspor for their 12th straight league win.

Unblemished in the league since a 2-2 draw against Alanyaspor at Nef Stadium in October, the Yellow-Reds have been irrepressible and are primed to right the wrongs of last season when they finished 13th in the division.

They hold a six-point lead over their nearest challengers Fenerbahce, who are the only team in the division to outscore the leading side heading into gameweek 24.

Interestingly, only five games in the Yellow-Reds' 12-match winning run have seen Gala keep a clean sheet, a statistic that could give Kasimpasa a shred of hope before Saturday's clash.

That said, Buruk's team statistically have the competition's best defence — conceding only 17 goals in 23 games — five fewer than Istanbul Basaksehir's 22.

They are favourites to win their 10th home game of the season against a side that has secured only two away victories in 2022-23, one more than an Alanyaspor side with the top-flight's worst record on their travels.

The Apaches — only three points clear of the relegation zone — have lost four successive games on the spin away from Beyoglu, securing only one point in their last five matches on their travels.

Without a win on the road since September, Selcuk Inan's team face an uphill battle at the home of a side many already consider champions-elect.

Interestingly, Kasimpasa's 2-1 triumph at Umraniyespor was a second consecutive away success — following a 2-0 win at Antalyaspor on September 4 — but they have been unsuccessful on their travels since, picking up two points from an available 18.

They have scored in all but two of those games, while the 5-1 thrashing by title challengers Fenerbahce was the only time in that run they were embarrassed, giving them minimal hope of offering some resistance at Galatasaray.

The reverse fixture ended 3-2 in favour of the league leaders, who had a Kerem Akturkoglu brace to thank for the outcome.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

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Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

January arrival Nicolo Zaniolo should make his Galatasaray debut on Saturday, with the 23-year-old expected to sparkle for the champions-elect.

Dries Mertens and Fredrik Midtsjo are both sidelined for the table-topping side, although the latter was unlikely to make his sixth league start.

Okan Kocuk could play from the off in the competition for the second time if Fernando Muslera — stretchered off in last month's win over Trabzonspor and uninvolved in the friendly win over Alanyaspor on February 26 — is yet to recover from his injury.

Gala are tipped to continue with their 4-2-3-1.

Sadik Ciftpinar has not played for Kasimpasa since late January, and the injured centre-back is not expected to make the squad on Saturday.

Valentin Eysseric is suspended following last week's booking against Antalyaspor, so Haris Hajradinovic is the likely replacement for the unavailable central midfielder.

Inan is likely to set the team up in a 4-3-3.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Kocuk; Boey, Bardakci, Nelsson, Karatas; Torreira, Oliveira; Rashica, Zaniolo, Akturkoglu; Icardi

Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:

Canpolat; Silva, Donk, Djilobodji, Ouanes; Tirpan, Malsa, Hajradinovic; Fall, Koita, Chouiar

We say: Galatasaray 2-1 Kasimpasa

Despite a seemingly unstoppable run of results, Galatasaray have netted more than two goals at Nef Stadium just twice in their last 10 home games.

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