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

At a time when the home side are six points clear, Trabzonspor are down in sixth spot, albeit just two points behind third-placed Istanbul Basaksehir.

Match preview

Having experienced the rare occasion of missing out on European football, there was overwhelming disappointing at Galatasaray, yet it has sparked an imperious comeback campaign.

Following a season where they could only finish in 13th spot, Galatasaray are now dominant at the top of Super Lig, helped by a 11-match winning streak.

That almost came to an end last time out, Okan Buruk's team trailing Umraniyespor at half time before two goals from Mauro Icardi helped his side register a 3-2 victory.

The Argentine now has a sensational eight strikes and five assists from just 832 minutes of football in the top flight during 2022-23, taking him joint-top of the Galatasaray scoring charts alongside Bafetimbi Gomis.

However, one of the rare occasions when Galatasaray have failed to win in the league this term came versus Sunday's opponents, the reverse fixture ending goalless.

Barring a miracle, Trabzonspor's title defence is going to end in failure, and they are already focused on trying to close the seven-point gap to second-placed Fenerbahce.

Three defeats have been posted in their last seven outings, more than they suffered in their first 14 games of the season, and Abdullah Avci's side had to work hard to overcome lowly Antalyaspor last time out.

A 93rd-minute effort from Naci Unuvar was required to secure a 2-0 triumph, with Trabzonspor now keeping five successive clean sheets in home league fixtures.

In sharp contrast, the Black Sea Storm are without success on their travels in five attempts, not the ideal form ahead of a trip to the free-scoring frontrunners.

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

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Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

Although Buruk had to heavily tinker with his Galatasaray side in order to instigate a comeback versus Umraniyespor, few alterations are expected for this fixture.

Leo Dubois may return at left-back, but new arrival Kaan Ayhan is only likely to be named on the substitutes' bench at best.

Despite netting his first goal of the season as a substitute last week, youngster Naci Unuvar is expected to remain among the Trabzonspor replacements.

Marc Bartra and Eren Elmali are both injury doubts, with Vitor Hugo among those on standby to come into the team.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin is also in contention to start if Avci opts to replace Abdulkadir Omur in midfield.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Tasdemir; Torreira, Oliveira; Rashica, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Larsen, Bartra, Denswil, Elmali; Djaniny, Omur, Siopis, Bakasetas, Trezeguet; Gomez

We say: Galatasaray 2-1 Trabzonspor

Given the length of their winning streak, it is simply unrealistic to back against Galatasaray right now. While we expect Trabzonspor to push their hosts, they have not shown enough this campaign to suggest that they can get over the line versus the leaders on away territory.

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