Galatasaray vs Goztepe Predictions & Tips - Galatasaray tipped to ease to victory

Galatasaray have been solid at home this season and have only conceded once in their last four matches on their own patch. With Goztepe struggling for form, I’m backing Galatasaray to win and keep a clean sheet.

Galatasaray hold a comfortable 37-13 lead over Goztepe in 65 previous encounters. There have been 15 drawn matches.

Last season both teams won their home match against each other. Goztepe won 2-1 at home while Galatasaray won 3-1 in the return fixture.

Galatasaray currently sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, three points behind Alanyspor with a game in hand. Their form has been impressive of late, particularly at home.

Fatih Terim’s side were on a seven match unbeaten run but that streak was broken in a 2-1 away defeat to Fatih Karagumruk in their last match. After a goalless first half Fatih Karagumruk took the lead in the 46th minute only for Mbaye Diagne to equalise from the spot for Galatasaray in the 90th minute.

The last few minutes were action packed as Karagumruk retook the lead less than 60 seconds later and Marcao Teixeira saw red for Galatasaray. 

Galatasaray had won their three matches prior to that without conceding a goal. Their 4-0 win at Rizespor was followed by a 3-0 home win over Hatayspor. In the Turkish Cup match Galatasaray won 1-0 at home against Darica Genclerbirligi.

Galatasaray are missing three players due to COVID-19 in left-back Emre Tasdemir, goalkeeper Fatih Ozturk and left winger Kerem Akturkoglu.

Centre forward Falcao is still out with a hamstring injury while Ryan Babel misses out with a hip injury. Emre Akbaba is expected to start. There are fitness doubts over goalkeeper Fernando Muslera with Okan Kocuk expected to start this match betweent the sticks.

Marcao Teixeira is suspended at centre-back for this match after getting a red card against Fatih Karagumruk.

Goztepe are enjoying a solid season in the Turkish Super Lig and sit ninth in the table. They will still have ambitions of climbing the table as IIhan Palut’s side are only five points off Galatasaray in second place.

Unfortunately Goztepe’s promising start to the season has hit a bit of a bump in recent weeks. They lost their last two league matches and were knocked out of the Turkish Cup in extra time.

Since beating top-of-the-table Analyaspor 1-0 at home, Goztepe have lost 3-2 away at Rizespor and 5-4 at home to Bursaspor after extra time in the Turkish Cup.

Their last match ended in a 1-0 home defeat to Hatayspor. That was Goztepe’s first match in eight that they haven’t managed to score a goal.

First choice goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat has tested positive for COVID-19 which should see Balazs Megyeri make his first league appearance for Goztepe.

Two more players have tested positive accoring to reports from Goztepe but those players have not been named as yet.

Left wing Batuhan Kirdaroglu has been out since July with no return date set for him. Right-back Murat Paluli is suspended after getting red in Goztepe’s recent Turkish Cup fixture.