One of the two frontrunners in the Turkish Super Lig title race, Galatasaray, aim to maintain the heat on their rivals when they welcome Gaziantep to the RAMS Park on Monday evening.
The home side are level on points with old rivals Fenerbahce at the top of the table, while the visitors are just one point away from the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Galatasaray extended their remarkable unbeaten streak in the league to 10 matches after coming from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over bottom-placed Istanbulspor.
David Sambissa gave Istanbulspor the lead, but Kerem Akturkoglu's brace, including a penalty, swung the game in Galatasaray's favour before Mauro Icardi sealed the win with another penalty in stoppage time.
Okan Buruk's side are now level on points with league leaders Fenerbahce, trailing only on goal difference as the title race heats up.
Galatasaray boast a formidable home record, having won 15 consecutive domestic matches at their fortress, and they will aim to extend this streak to 16 while hoping for a slip up from their rivals.
Galatasaray hold a dominant head to head record against their next opponents, Gaziantep, having won eight of their last 10 encounters, with just one defeat and one draw.
Buruk's men have been imperious at home this season, winning all 11 of their league matches, and they will look to maintain their impregnable grip on their turf on Monday.
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Gaziantep, meanwhile, saw their winless run in the league stretch to five games after being held to a 1-1 draw by Konyaspor last time out.
Metehan Mert's own goal put Marius Sumudica's side ahead, but Konya restored parity before half time through Marlos Moreno.
Gaziantep's struggles have left them languishing in 15th place, just a point clear of the relegation zone.
The Eagles will be hoping to extend their three-game unbeaten streak on the road and end their winless streak when they travel to face the in-form Galatasaray on Monday. However, their task is daunting against a side that has been flawless at home this season.
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Team News
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Galatasaray will remain without Hakim Ziyech and Cedric Bakambu due to their ongoing participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with both players through to the knockout stages with their countries.
Sergio Oliveira and Abdulkerim Bardakci are sidelined with muscle and hamstring injuries, respectively.
After his impressive performance in the victory over Istanbulspor, Emre Akin Akinoglu will retain his starting role on the left flank while Icardi could potentially make his first start since recovering from injury.
Gaziantep will be missing the creative spark of Max-Alain Gradel on Monday night with the Ivorian currently representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, which is being held on home soil.
Mustafa Eskihellac and Oguz Oztetik are both unavailable for selection due to one-match suspensions for accumulating yellow cards.
Ulas Zengin is the only injured player in Sumudica's squad, as he nurses a leg injury, with the return date yet to be confirmed.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Sanchez, B.A. Yilmaz; Demirbay, Torreira; Zaha, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Ersoy, Kizildag, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, M'Bakata; Maxim, Jevtovic, Soyalp, Markovic; Dragus
We say: Galatasaray 3-0 Gaziantep
Galatasaray are outright favourites for this one as they will have too much for Gaziantep to handle. The Lions have been outstanding at home this season and we are backing them to preserve their perfect record on home turf against the faltering Eagles.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
