Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Pendikspor and Galatasaray, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Pendikspor host Galatasaray in the Super Lig on Saturday in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
While the home side suffered a huge defeat in their last match, the visitors returned to winning ways with a convincing victory over Alanyaspor.
Match preview
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Despite a recent upturn in results, Pendikspor continue to hover around the drop zone and their woes were further compounded after receiving a 4-1 thrashing from fellow relegation battlers Istanbul Basaksehir last time out.
Prior to their last match, Ivo Vieira‘s men had experienced something of a renaissance in recent weeks, winning three out of a possible four matches in the league, which has seen them rise slightly above the relegation zone.
The newly-promoted side picked up their first home win of the season in their last outing in front of their own fans against Samsunspor, but that was after a heavy 5-0 defeat to one of the league leaders Fenerbahce at the Pendik Stadium.
Fenerbahce are the only team to have outscored Galatasaray in the Super Lig this season, which does not bode well for a Pendikspor side that has conceded 29 goals in their 13 games so far – comfortably the worst defensive record in the division.
Meanwhile, Vieira’s men have struggled to find goals at the other end at home too, scoring more than once in just one fixture as hosts, which was the 3-2 loss to Sivasspor in October.
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Their visitors will not be holding back, with their great rivals Fenerbahce now sitting above last season’s champions at the top of the table.
Okan Buruk‘s men suffered their first league defeat of the season against Hatayspor immediately before the international break, but bounced back with a convincing 4-0 victory over Alanyaspor last weekend.
While the reigning champions have a perfect home record so far in the league, they have now dropped points twice on the road – a draw against Kayserispor and the loss to Hatayspor.
Buruk will hope for little or no European hangover for the away side, who gave everything in their 3-3 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday.
Gala twice came from two goals down in that match to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in their own hands and, while such an end-to-end contest may have sapped energy from some legs, the momentum they will take from the match could stand them in good stead.
With Fenerbahce playing on Monday, the visitors could go three points clear at the top with a win.
Pendikspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:
Galatasaray form (all competitions):
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Team News
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Pendikspor remain without Nigerian striker Emeka Eze, who continues to recover from an ankle injury, while Emre Tasdemir could miss out yet again as he struggles with muscle issues.
Ahmed Hassan and Oscar Romero were fit enough for the bench in the loss to Istanbul Basaksehir and are in contention for a starting spot.
As far as the visitors are concerned, Davinson Sanchez is the only player unavailable for selection as the defender is yet to recover from a muscle injury he picked up in the win over Alanyaspor.
Hakim Ziyech netted a brace in the Champions League on Wednesday, and the wide attacker should start on Saturday.
Mauro Icardi is the league’s leading scorer with 11 goals and he will be relishing his chance to take on the league’s leakiest defence this weekend.
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Ozgenc, Welinton, Sulungoz, Sequeira; Lusamba, Akdag, Cekici; Diaby, Yardimci, Akbunar
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Boey, Ayhan, Bardakci, Angelino; Ndombele, Torreira; Ziyech, Mertens, Zaha; Icardi
We say: Pendikspor 0-4 Galatasaray
Galatasaray have too much quality for the home side, and this should be a routine win for the reigning champions this weekend.
It is hard to back against anything but a big scoreline given Pendikspor’s defensive record and the attacking options as Galatasaray’s disposal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.