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

Gala and old foes Fenerbahce are 14 points clear of the nearest challenger in Turkey's top flight, while their hosts occupy a place in mid-table.

Match preview

Following a goalless draw in the intercontinental derby with Fenerbahce just before Christmas, Galatasaray and their cross-city rivals were set to reconvene in Saudi Arabia less than a week later, for the right to claim the Super Kupa.

However, after a diplomatic incident led to the clash being called off at the very last minute, Gala then returned home to prepare for Sunday's home game against Super Lig strugglers Konyaspor.

Despite dominating both the ball and the shot count, Okan Buruk's men took over an hour to break through their visitors' resistance, with central defender Abdulkerim Bardakci striking first, before adding a late third once Wilfried Zaha had wrapped up three points in the 90th minute.

Victory kept Galatasaray locked on points with Fener - both having racked up 47 points from just 18 games - and even at the halfway stage of the season it is clear the two Istanbul giants will be battling it out to finish first.

Gala's defensive record has proved their strongest weapon so far, and they have conceded just one goal in six matches since a spectacular 3-3 draw with Manchester United in the Champions League.

Therefore, their next opponents - the lowest-scoring team inside the top half of the Super Lig table - should hold few fears for the Lions.

Not only did Sivasspor come away empty-handed from both league fixtures against Galatasaray last season, but they have won only once in their last 10 trips to the Ali Sami Yen.

As hosts, though, the Sivas-based side have won three from the clubs' last six meetings, and they will now aim to cause another upset on Thursday.

Bulent Uygun's men have endured an inconsistent season, never moving comfortably clear of the relegation zone, but three wins from their last five matches has seen them rise to 10th place in the standings.

Most recently, the Braves built on a 1-0 victory over Istanbulspor in their final fixture of 2023, claiming consecutive Super Lig wins for the first time all season by beating high-flying Kayserispor 3-1 away from home.

Two stoppage-time spot-kicks from Rey Manaj ultimately swung the result their way, further embellishing a far superior record on the road: Sivasspor have won no less than half of their away games so far, compared to only one on home soil.

It is their distinct lack of goals that has led to a series of draws, leaving them with the third-lowest points total for home teams this term.

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

W

L

W

W

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

W

W

D

W

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

D

W

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Team News

Once again, Galatasaray will be without star striker Mauro Icardi, who suffered a facial fracture during the recent Istanbul derby, while Sergio Oliviera is still sidelined by a muscular injury.

In addition, the versatile Baris Alper Yilmaz - who featured at left-back last time out - is suspended for yellow-card accumulation, while Hakim Ziyech and Cedric Bakambu have left to represent Morocco and DR Congo respectively at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Wilfried Zaha was not called up by the Ivory Coast, though, while Lucas Torreira and Sacha Boey will both return from suspension; Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez has been passed fit and could be included on the bench.

Sivasspor also have two players away on international duty, with both Ahmed Musa and Clinton N'Jie bound for the AFCON.

As ex-Barcelona striker Rey Manaj must serve a one-match ban, either Modou Barrow or Bengali-Fode Koita should be shifted into the hosts' centre-forward role.

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Varal; Okumus, Osmanpasa, Camara, Ciftci; Arslan, Charisis; Gokay, Saiz, Barrow; Koita

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Bardakci, Karatas; Demirbay, Torreira; Zaha, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Dervisoglu

We say: Sivasspor 1-3 Galatasaray

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