Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Goztepe SK and Fenerbahce, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Goztepe SK will host Fenerbahce at Gursel Aksel Stadium on Saturday, hoping to claim their first victory of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig campaign.
Meanwhile, the visitors, led by Jose Mourinho, will be looking to make it two wins from two matches after a successful start to their season.
Match preview
© Imago
Newly promoted Goztepe will be eager to avoid an immediate return to the second tier after securing a hard-fought draw at Antalyaspor on the opening weekend.
Stanimir Stoilov‘s side will be keen to prove their worth against one of the league’s top teams in their first home match of the season this Saturday.
Having finished as runners-up in the Turkish TFF 1. Lig last term, Goz will be wary of repeating their previous Super Lig experience, which saw them finish second-bottom.
Despite a disappointing pre-season with only one win from four matches, Stoilov will recognise the importance of securing home points to maintain their top-flight status.
A rare 1-0 victory over the Yellow Canaries in 2021 could provide some inspiration for the underdogs who are on a giant-killing mission.
Fenerbahce will be hoping this is not the case, especially as the Yellow Canaries have just failed to progress beyond the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Mourinho’s side were defeated over the two legs by French team Lille, having lost 2-1 in the first leg and only managing a 1-1 draw in the return fixture on home turf last Tuesday.
The Istanbul giants, who fell short in their bid to dethrone rivals Galatasaray last season, will be determined to successfully challenge for the title once again.
Edin Dzeko‘s goal secured a winning start to the league campaign against Adana Demirspor, but Mourinho will demand improved efficiency in front of goal, leaving no stones unturned in the fight for the title.
Goztepe SK Turkish Super Lig form:
Goztepe SK form (all competitions):
Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:
Fenerbahce form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
Goztepe’s Ogun Bayrak is expected to miss the opening game of the season at Antalyaspor due to injury.
The hosts will be hoping to finally get off the mark since gaining promotion, with the attacking duo of Romulo Cruz and Kubilay Kanatsizkus the ones to watch.
As for the visitors, Fred is not expected back for several more weeks following a ligament injury, while Irfan Can Egribayat and Mert Hakan Yandas are serving bans imposed by the league.
Dzeko has already scored five goals in as many competitive matches this season and will once again be looking to make the difference for Mourinho’s side.
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Ozcimen; Heliton, Gunter, Altikardes; Sangare, Ildiz, Matsuki, Kayan, Silva; Kanatsizkus, Romulo
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Osayi-Samuel, Djiku, Oosterwolde, Mercan; Yuksek, Szymanski; Kahveci, Tadic, Saint-Maximin; Dzeko
We say: Goztepe SK 1-2 Fenerbahce
Goztepe secured an impressive point away from home in their season opener, but Fenerbahce will likely prove too strong for them, as the home side possess more quality, and Dzeko is in red-hot form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.