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

Gala have not been in action since a drab goalless draw in the Intercontinental derby with Fenerbahce on December 24, but there has been plenty of drama since.

Match preview

While the initial derby was classed as a possible early title decider, the clash between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce failed to live up to expectations.

The sides were set to reconvene less than a week later though, to battle it out for the Super Kupa in Saudi Arabia.

However, given it was the 100th anniversary of Turkey's independence, there were requests to play the national anthem and to showcase quotes from Ataturk, an integral figure behind the creation of modern-day Turkey.

Once the teams arrived in Saudi though, it became apparent that their hosts were unwilling to be so welcoming to their demands, banning the initial plans to celebrate the country's independence, leading to both sets of squads refusing to play, before returning home to Turkey.

In a rare show of solidarity between the two bitter rivals, the battle between them will restart with both back in league action this weekend.

The two clubs can not be separated at the moment, with both currently on 44 points following a sixth 0-0 draw in the derby in seven years.

That ended a four-game winning run in the league for Gala, but their defensive record remains excellent, as they have let in just one goal in their last five - a penalty against Adana Demirspor.

There is no doubt that it has become a two-horse race for the title, as there is a 14-point gap between the top two and Trabzonspor in third.

Konyaspor are the first of seven sides Okan Buruk's men will face during a hectic 21 days in January, and despite the visitors being the near drop zone, they have shown signs of improvement.

After a woeful start, Konyaspor have shown resilience to lift themselves out of the bottom four, with just one defeat in five games.

That run has seen them pick up a very valuable eight points, something which did not seem possible when a two-month spell between mid-September and mid-November saw Konyaspor win just two points in eight games.

The visitors have got an incredibly daunting pair of games this week though, as this trip to Gala is instantly followed by an away game with Fener just three days later.

While two defeats are likely, Hakan Keles's side will remain in Istanbul for a third straight away game to face Istanbulspor next weekend in a pivotal clash near the bottom.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

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D

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

D

W

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Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

D

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Team News

Both Lucas Torreira and Sacha Boey will be suspended for Galatasaray here after they received their fourth yellow cards of the season in the derby with Fenerbahce.

There are doubts surrounding the fitness of Kerem Akturkoglu, but Wilfried Zaha's snub from the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations means Buruk can still call upon the former Crystal Palace winger.

While Zaha will stay at Gala, Hakim Ziyech and Cedric Bakambu will depart to represent Morocco and DR Congo, respectively, so Tete should start on the right of attack, while there is less backup behind Mauro Icardi up front.

Also on the injury front, Davinson Sanchez and Sergio Oliveira (both muscular) are set to miss out for the hosts.

Konyaspor themselves have a couple of injury problems coming into this one, but Gokhan Tore and Muhammet Demir are closing in on returns from long-term setbacks.

The visitors also have one of their squad members departing for AFCON, after midfielder Bruno Paz earned a call-up by Angola, despite injury disrupting much of his campaign so far.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Ayhan, Nelsson, Bardakci, B A Yilmaz; Demirbay, Ndombele; Tete, Mertens, Zaha; Icardi

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Ulgun, Demirbag, Calvo, Haubert; Dikmen, Yazgili, Cicaldau; Prip, Cikalleshi, Moreno

We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Konyaspor

Gala have been very professional in getting the job done against the weaker sides in the Super Lig, and while this may not be a drubbing, Buruk's men should comfortably claim the three points.

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