Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
Galatasaray have the chance of mathematically securing the Turkish Super Lig title on Sunday, when they face bitter rivals Fenerbahce at the Nef Stadyumu in Istanbul. It will be a nice prelude for the Champions League final, which takes place six days later in the city on the Bosphorus.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray haven t been crowned Turkish champions since 2019, and last season was a particularly sore disappointment for their supporters, seeing their team finish in 13th place. Looking at it from the other side, it will only make the prospect of climbing back on the throne even more exciting.
As things stand at the moment, Okan Buruk s side top the table with 82 points, five ahead of the visitors with two games left. A draw will obviously be enough for their purpose, but it s not to be expected that a team like Galatasaray will be holding anything back in a game like this in front of their own crowd.
Galatasaray s last-six run began with a disappointing 3-3 draw at home against Fatih Karamugruk, and it got a lot worse next as they lost 3-1 away to Besiktas. But then their form picked up, and triumphs 1-0 at home against Istanbul Basaksehir, 0-2 away to Istanbulspor, 2-0 at home over Sivasspor and 1-4 away to Ankaragucu are the main reason why they re now in a position to depend on no team but themselves.
Team News
Buruk has no players absent from his squad for this game, following Nicolo Zaniolo s return from suspension.
With striker Mauro Icardi approaching the end of his loan from Paris Saint-Germain, this might be his last chance of feeling the heat of a proper Istanbul Derby.
With Fernando Muslera in goal, the back four should consist of Sacha Boey, Victor Nelsson, Abdulkerim Bardakci and Kazimcan Karatas; Sergio Oliveira and Lucas Torreira are expected to pair up in the middle of the park Mertens, while Milot Rashica and Kerem Akturkoglu support Icardi in attack.
Fenerbahce
Going into this huge clash, the most worrying aspect for Fenerbahce is the fact that even if they win, it s likely to prove only a delay in Galatasaray celebrating the title as Buruk s team face last-place Hatayspor in the final round three days later. Still, hope remains as long as there s a chance to prevent it from happening, and Jorge Jesus s team will be consoled by having an opportunity to win silverware themselves as they take on Basaksehir in the Turkish Cup final at the end of next week.
But as for the Super Lig table, as has been said, Fener trail Galatasaray by five points a huge mountain to climb with so little of the campaign left, and they might even decide to save themselves a bit for the cup final. It s more than likely that this turns out the second season in a row where they finish runners-up, having done so last term behind Trabzonspor.
Nonetheless, Fenerbahce go into this match on fine form, having drawn twice and won four of their last six matches. They drew 0-0 away to Sivasspor, and then 1-1 away to Giresunspor, before beating Trabzonspor 3-1 at home, Hatayspor 0-3 away, Sivasspor at home by 3-0 in the second leg of the cup semifinal, and Antalyaspor 2-0 at home.
Three days later, they close the campaign with a home game against Gaziantep, which will bear no significance whatsoever if they don t beat Galatasaray.
Team News
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is out through injury, as is left-back Lincoln. Right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel is a huge doubt, having missed the three previous games.
Irfan Can Egribayat should stand in for Bayindir between the posts. Samet Akaydin and Attila Szalai should pair up in the heart of defence, flanked by Ferdi Kadioglu and Luan Peres. Willian Arao, Miguel Crespo, Diego Rossi and Arda Guler are expected to start in midfield, with Joao Pedro and Joshua King in attack.
Conclusion
The lack of focus for Fenerbahce amid the looming cup final and the fact that even victory here probably wouldn t stop Galatasaray from winning the title will probably have a notable impact on the visitors performance, despite the magnitude of the derby.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
