Preview: Galatasaray vs. Altay - prediction, team news, lineups

Galatasaray will host Altay on Saturday with the hosts looking to end a three-game winless run in the Turkish Super Lig, which has left them in eighth position.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to end their own poor run of form after going seven league games without a victory.

Match preview

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Galatasaray enter the weekend four points adrift of second position, but their recent league form suggests emulating last season's second-placed finish may prove less than straightforward.

Despite being inconsistent in the Turkish Super Lig, their overall form has been promising with only two defeats in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

A large factor in those run of results has been their superb Europa League campaign with Galatasaray yet to taste defeat in the group stage, and they will be looking to transfer their excellent European form to the league.

Last weekend, Fatih Terim's side could only manage a goalless away draw against relegation-threatened Yeni Malatyaspor, highlighting the inconsistent results that have hampered Galatasaray's domestic campaign so far.

Although Terim's men would have been disappointed with just a point from their last outing, they will be confident of claiming all three on Saturday, having won three of their last four home league fixtures.

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Altay head into the matchday in 13th position, and they will be low on confidence after collecting just two points from their previous seven league games.

Like Galatasaray, Saturday's visitors also experienced a goalless draw on their travels last weekend against Istanbul Basaksehir, but they would have been pleased to have picked up a point from a tough away game.

They do enter the fixture off the back of a cup victory over second-tier Manisa FK, but despite the contest finishing 4-2, the midweek encounter was anything but comfortable.

In fact, Altay went into half time with a two-goal deficit, but they responded well in the second half as Ahmed Yasser Rayan and Marco Paixao both grabbed braces to ensure that their side progressed.

As Mustafa Denizli's side turn their attention back to league action, they will be conscious of their recent away struggles, with the visitors attempting to end a run of four away games without a win.

Team News

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Galatasaray have received some positive news with Arda Turan returning sooner than expected, and the midfielder is likely to be in the squad for Saturday.

Although, the hosts are still without the services of Sacha Boey, who is unavailable due to injury.

Kerem Akturkoglu was dropped for last weekend's encounter, but the 23-year-old was introduced at half time and the expectation is that he will come into the starting lineup for the weekend.

Altay are missing the injured Eric Bjorkander, while Khaly Thiam is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Thiam's suspension will open up a space in the midfield that is likely to be filled by Serge Aka.

Daouda Bamba has top-scored for Altay this season, and the forward will be looking to add to the six league goals that he already has to his name.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Yedlin, Marcao, Nelsson, Van Aanholt; Akturkoglu, Assuncao, Antalyali, Kutlu, Feghouli; Diagne

Altay possible starting lineup:
Lis; Karayel, Akca, Ozturk, Naderi; Aka, Poko, Pinares; Kappel, Rodriguez, Bamba

We say: Galatasaray 2-1 Altay

Saturday's contest will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides since January 2009, and we think that the latest encounter will result in a Galatasaray win as they look to climb up the league table.

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