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

Okan Buruk's team picked up a 2-0 victory over Istanbulspor to record back-to-back wins, while Sivasspor were beaten 2-1 by Kasimpasa.

Match preview

When Galatasaray were defeated 3-1 by Besiktas at the end of April, they dropped points in consecutive games in the Super Lig for only the second time in 2022-23.

Buruk's team had picked up 17 wins from 18 games before that 3-3 draw with Fatih Karagumruk on April 24 before losing to the third-placed team in the league.

The table-topping side have secured maximum points since getting just one point from six, beating Istanbul Basaksehir and Istanbulspor without conceding a goal.

Mauro Icardi has been instrumental in those wins, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 success over Basaksehir and netting a brace in their most recent game, despite Nicolo Zaniolo's sending-off on the day.

Galatasaray knows that a 23rd title is in their hands, even if a title-deciding clash with second-place Fenerbahce could heap final-day pressure on the league leaders.

Their challengers picked up a 3-1 win over Trabzonspor on Thursday, thus reducing the gap to five points with two games remaining for the side chasing.

As for Sivasspor, the cup semi-finalists have been beaten in three consecutive games, losing to Fener, relegation-threatened Umraniyespor and Kasimpasa.

The Braves are not in danger of relegation, even if only nine points separate them from the bottom sides.

Rıza Calimbay's troops have suffered four defeats from five games on their travels, making them underdogs against this year's potential champions.

The concession of goals in the ongoing losses underscores their defensive bugbear: they concede too often, evidenced by four against Fatih Karagumruk, three at Istanbulspor and four against Umraniyespor.

Sivasspor were beaten by Gala when both teams met at the backend of 2022, losing 2-1 in Sivas.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

D

L

W

W

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

W

L

L

L

Sivasspor form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

L

L

Team News

Zaniolo was sent off with 15 minutes remaining in Galatasaray's win over Istanbulspor, and the former Roma man is suspended on Saturday.

Buruk should reinstate Sacha Boey to the lineup after the defender's suspension in the previous game.

Sivasspor are without the suspended Mustapha Yatabare, Dimitrios Goutas, Fredrik Ulvestad, and Erdogan Yesilyurt, forcing Calimbay into several alterations.

Murat Paluli is touch-and-go for the away side, but Ziya Erda is undoubtedly ruled out this weekend.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Boey, Berdakci, Nelsson, Karatas; Torreira, Oliveira; Rashica, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Okumus, Camara, Appindangoye, Ciftci; Saiz, Cofie, Charisis; N'Jie, Caicedo, Gradel

We say: Galatasaray 3-1 Sivasspor

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