Galatasaray will resume their quest for another Super Lig title when they visit Alanyaspor on Monday evening, looking to maintain their two-point lead at the top of the table.
Both teams head into this match on winning runs, with the hosts on a four-match streak while the visitors have won their last 12 league matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Alanyaspor have enjoyed a turnaround in form since the beginning of March, extending their winning streak to four matches with a resounding 3-0 victory over Gaziantep last time out.
Thirty-one-year-old Ahmed Mahgoub was the star of the show, scoring a brace with Oguz Aydin adding another. This helped Fatih Tekke's side maintain their position in 10th place with seven games remaining in the season, as they are currently level on 42 points with ninth-placed Antalyaspor.
Prior to their current winning run, Alanyaspor had endured a six-match winless spell, drawing five of those games with just one defeat – a run that put them in relegation danger. However, they are now unbeaten in their last seven matches and are on course for a top-half finish.
The Alanya outfit will be confident of continuing their good form, but they face a tough challenge against opponents they have not beaten in the last six meetings, dating back to 2021.
However, Tekke's men are unbeaten in their last five home games across all competitions, with three wins and two draws.
Galatasaray come into this clash on the back of a controversial Turkish Super Cup victory, after their opponents Fenerbahce walked off the pitch in protest against the Turkish Football Federation.
The Lions return to the league looking to maintain their two-point lead at the top of the table over Fenerbahce. They secured a narrow 1-0 win over Hatayspor thanks to a Mauro Icardi goal in the 12th minute.
With seven games remaining, Okan Buruk's side know they cannot afford any slip-ups with their city rivals breathing down their necks. Their sole focus on Monday will be extending their league winning run to 13 matches.
In a demanding season, Gala have shown resilience in recent weeks, winning four of their last five league games by a single goal margin.
After 31 matches, the Lions have only one defeat to their name, which came away from home against Hatayspor back in November. However, they have not lost at Alanya since 2020, remaining unbeaten in five visits there since then.
Team News
© Reuters
Alanyaspor have a full squad available for this clash, with no injury or suspension reported ahead of Monday.
After scoring in each of the last four games, Aydin now has nine goals in 29 Super Lig matches and the 23-year-old midfielder will hope to continue his rich vein of form against Galatasaray.
Hassan, will also hope to score in consecutive games when he leads the line once again on Monday.
Serge Aurier was back in the squad for Galatasaray against Hatayspor and could feature at some point for the first time since he signed for the club.
Icardi took his tally to 18 goals last time out and should spearhead the attack for Gala once again, as he looks to catch up with Fenerbahce's Edin Dzeko, who is the league's top scorer with 19 goals.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Hadergjonaj, Bayir, Aliti, Balkovec; Coelho, Fer; Aydin, Karaca, Ozdemir; Hassan
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Kohn, Nelsson, Kutlu, Ayhan; Torreira, Demirbay; Akturkoglu, Mertens, Yilmaz; Icardi
We say: Alanyaspor 1-2 Galatasaray
In-form Alanyaspor face a stern test against table-topping Galatasaray. Despite their winning streak, Alanyaspor have not beaten Gala in years. Galatasaray will be desperate to maintain their lead and have the upper hand. Expect a close match, possibly a narrow Galatasaray victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
