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

Gala sit nine points clear at the top of the Super Lig, while Konyaspor are on a woeful run of form.

Match preview

With a team of superstars all over the pitch, Galatasaray are now on a run of 16 matches won in succession across all competitions.

Their nearest rivals Fenerbahce have still performed superbly but just cannot keep up with this Gala machine, as Okan Buruk's side have moved nine points ahead.

No European football to distract them has almost certainly helped, as Galatasaray have only played one game a week more often than not, while Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor and Istanbul Basaksehir have all been in action on the continent in the last few weeks.

They did have to battle through one of their most unconvincing wins during their sensational run last weekend though at home to Kasimpasa.

Nicolo Zaniolo's debut goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Gala, as they just managed to keep hold of their winning streak, just like they did in recent narrow wins over Umraniyespor and 10-man Antalyaspor.

It makes it even more remarkable, but also shows how their squad is stacked full of talent arguably playing in a league below their level, that no player has reached double figures for them yet in the league, despite them scoring 51 goals so far.

Mauro Icardi is the club's top scorer with nine, but he is down in eighth in the league's goalscoring standings.

Despite the dreadful form of their upcoming opponents though, Galatasaray have lost on their last two trips to Konya.

Even the most optimistic of Konyaspor supporters are unlikely to use that little caveat to give them some belief in this one though.

They still sit in a very respectable eighth place, which is incredible considering they have not won since before the World Cup break.

Being awarded a 3-0 walkover against Hatayspor who have had to pull out of the league looks important as it stopped their slide for one week at least.

The week previously, a 0-0 draw with relegation-candidates Giresunspor halted a run of six straight defeats, but even then that was still an underwhelming result.

They have not scored a goal in five games meaning it is not surprising to see that no side outside the relegation zone have scored fewer than them.

A very strong start has helped keep them away from trouble in terms of league position, but the league continues to get even tighter in the relegation fight, as they are just seven points clear of the drop zone despite being eight places above it.

Their form here at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium has been a huge let down for them, as only the top three have a better away record than Aleksandar Stanojevic's side.

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

L

D

W

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

Zaniolo could come into the Galatasaray side after his match-winning impact off the bench last week against Kasimpasa.

It could be a straight swap for Juan Mata, who went off injured in the first half of that game and is doubtful here.

Dries Mertens is a doubt having missed the last two games, but with the likes of Icardi, Kerem Akturkoglu, Milot Rashica and Bafetimbi Gomis at their disposal, they should be able to manage without the Belgian.

Fredrik Midtsjo and Yusuf Demir are among the other players who are doubtful for the visitors.

Konyaspor will welcome Mame Biram Diouf back from suspension after he was sent off at Fenerbahce two weeks ago.

Konrad Michalak will be unavailable for the hosts after he went off injured in the same game in Istanbul.

Michalak has a similar muscular issue which will also see Uche Ikpeazu ruled out of this clash.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Sehic; Oguz, Demirbag, Calvo, Guilherme Sitya; Dikmen, Bouchalakis, Pozuelo; Moreno, Demir, Diouf

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Adekugbe; Torreira, Sergio Oliveira, Zaniolo; Akgun, Icardi, Akturkoglu

We say: Konyaspor 0-2 Galatasaray

Galatasaray's long winning streak looks set to continue against one of the most out of form sides in the division.

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