Galatasaray will aim to continue their rise away from the bottom end of the Turkish Super Lig table on Sunday, when they travel to take on relegation-threatened Altay.
After a poor campaign, the Turkish giants have, at least, climbed to 12th spot in the top flight recently, while their hosts sit in the drop zone with five league games to go.
Match preview
© Reuters
Galatasaray have had to endure a dismal season in the Turkish Super Lig, only recently moving away from the threat of relegation as they sat on just 29 points from the opening 25 matches.
A six-game winless run, including four consecutive defeats, at the beginning of the new year was a particular low point for the Istanbul outfit, but they have since been able to at least give their points tally a major boost, albeit still without a degree of consistency.
Domenec Torrent's side have now won five of their last eight outings in the Turkish top flight, firstly beating Goztepe SK and Caykur Rizespor before bouncing back from a defeat to Konyaspor with a 2-1 victory over rivals and fellow giants Besiktas.
That was again followed by a loss, and Torrent's men have continued their inconsistent cycle in April, most recently beating Yeni Malatyaspor 2-0, thanks to goals from Ryan Babel and Halil Dervisoglu, after a win over Faith Karagumruk and a defeat to Fenerbahce.
While Torrent's men have failed to establish a winning run, they have improved their position in recent months, and the 22-time champions will aim to continue their climb with the chance to, at least, finish in the top half.
© Reuters
They take on an Altay side on the verge of being condemned to relegation, having been cut further adrift in the last month.
With 29 points from their opening 29 games, Sunday's hosts sat six points adrift of safety with nine games to play, still holding a viable chance of jumping out of the bottom four, but those hopes have since been dealt a huge blow.
Buyuk Altay went on to suffer three consecutive defeats at the hands of Sivasspor, Antalyaspor and Adana Demirspor, before, at least, earning a commendable point against Istanbul Basaksehir last time out.
Ceyhun Gulselam scored in the 89th minute to snatch a point for Sinan Kaloglu's team in that game, but, with 16th-placed Giresunspor also earning a draw last weekend, Altay have not gained any new ground in the fight for survival, now sitting 10 points adrift with just five games to go.
Looking set to return to Turkey's second tier after their promotion last term, Buyuk Altay will hope to end on a high, starting with what would be an impressive scalp on Sunday.
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Altay remain without Deniz Kadah and Ozgur Ozkaya, as the duo continue to nurse long-term injuries.
As a result, plenty of attacking responsibility will fall on Ahmed Yasser Rayan, who has hit five league goals this term after a switch from Egyptian Premier League side Cleopatra FC, for whom he found the net 15 times last season.
Galatasaray's only absentee should be experienced winger Sofiane Feghouli, who is confined to the treatment room.
Ryan Babel will continue to feature in his absence, after the Dutchman scored in their 2-0 win last time out, while star man Kerem Akturkoglu will again line up on the opposite flank, having netted eight goals and provided six assists in Super Lig action this term.
Centre-backs Victor Nelsson and Marcao have been relative mainstays recently, and the duo should continue to partner up at the back.
Altay possible starting lineup:
Lis; Ozturk, Thiam, Bjorkander; Unlu, Yildirim, Poko, Gulselam, Naderi; Bamber, Rayan
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Elabdellaoui, Marcao, Nelsson, Van Aanholt; Pulgar; Babel, Antalyali, Kutlu, Akturkoglu; Mohamed
We say: Altay 0-2 Galatasaray
While Galatasaray have rarely been able to post consecutive wins, they meet an Altay side devoid of any confidence and set to be relegated, and we see the visiting giants taking all three points.
Torrent's side will be keen to build momentum in the final stages of the season and should have too much for their struggling hosts.
