Newly-crowned champions Galatasaray host arch-rivals Fenerbahce on Sunday as the Turkish Super Lig season draws to a close.
With one game remaining for both sides, Galatasaray find themselves five points clear of Fenerbahce, having secured their first title since 2019.
Can the champions finish the season with victory over their rivals? Or will Fener spoil the party? It’s time to take a closer look at both sides.
📸 Günün antrenmanı. pic.twitter.com/ZWQNFEu8kq— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) June 1, 2023
📸 Günün antrenmanı. pic.twitter.com/ZWQNFEu8kq
Let’s start with the hosts, Galatasaray, who have lost just four of their 34 league matches this season, picking up 26 wins and four draws along the way.
Galatasaray wrapped up the title by thrashing Ankaragucu 4-1 in midweek, with veteran striker Mauro Icardi bagging a brace in the rout.
Thanks to Tuesday’s triumph, Okan Buruk’s men have now lost only two of their previous 25 league encounters, notching four successive wins in May.
Having avoided defeat in each of their last 16 home league games – racking up 14 wins along the way – the champions will be confident of finishing the season on a high.
In fairness, Fenerbahce pushed their rivals all the way this season, recording 24 wins, five draws and five losses to cement second place.
It is also worth noting that Fener are the top scorers in the division, having netted 84 goals in 34 outings (2.47 goals per game).
The Yellow Canaries head into Sunday’s showdown on a nine-game unbeaten streak, having notched seven wins and two draws since their last loss.
Having lost only one of their previous 17 league matches – picking up 13 wins in the process – Fener will be hopeful of spoiling Galatasaray’s party.
Head-to-head: Across their past 12 league meetings, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have both claimed three wins, serving up six draws.
Galatasaray won the reverse fixture 3-0 back in January, although Fenerbahce won the two meetings prior to that.
Team news: Galatasaray have reported no injury problems ahead of Sunday’s clash, meaning Okan Buruk has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, will be without Lincoln (ACL) this weekend, while Bright Osayi-Samuel (calf) and Altay Bayindir (back) are doubts.
Having secured the silverware earlier this week, Galatasaray may take their foot off the gas for the final match of the season.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Fenerbahce will claim a narrow victory on Sunday, snatching the Istanbul bragging rights for good measure.