Preview: Galatasaray vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

Turkish giants Galatasaray will be hoping to end a run of four Super Lig games without a win when they welcome city rivals Istanbul Basaksehir to the NEF Stadyumu on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to win their fourth successive away game in the top flight and move into the Champions League positions.

Match preview

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While Galatasaray's domestic form has been disappointing, one positive piece of news this week was the return to first-team training for manager Fatih Terim, who has been released from hospital after suffering with stomach problems.

Thirty-six-year-old midfielder Selcuk Inan was temporarily placed in charge for their goalless draw with Lazio in the Europa League, as well as their 1-0 defeat to Sivasspor on Monday night.

Terim is now fit to return to the dugout and will be hoping that his side can turn their fortunes around quickly if they are to close the seven-point gap to second-placed Konyaspor, who currently occupy the final Champions League position.

The 24-time Super Lig champions currently sit eighth in the table, 16 points behind league leaders Trabzonspor, so their hopes of winning another top-flight title already seem all but over before the halfway stage this season.

Galatasaray are unbeaten in each of their last three meetings against Istanbul Basaksehir, including a 3-0 home victory in February, though Saturday's encounter could prove to be a challenge given the visitors' upturn in form.

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Istanbul Basaksehir extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches when they secured a 2-1 victory at home against Kasimpasa last weekend.

Midfielder Mahmut Tekdemir scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to seal all three points for the Gray Owls, who have climbed up to fourth in the Super Lig standings, two points behind the top two and five points ahead of Saturday's opponents Galatasaray.

After losing each of their opening four away league matches, conceding eight goals in the process, Emre Belozoglu's men have since won their last three games on the road, scoring at least twice on each occasion.

Basaksehir have only won two of their 13 previous meetings at the NEF Stadyumu, but their form in contrast to Galatasaray's should provide them with plenty of confidence as they aim to secure all three points from the Istanbul derby.

Team News

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Galatasaray's experienced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has been ruled out for up to three months with a knee ligament injury, so Ismail Cipe is set to start his first league game of the season between the sticks.

Centre-back Christian Luyindama is also set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle fracture, with Marcao the most likely candidate to replace him in the starting lineup.

Right-back Sacha Boey has recently returned to training after recovering from a muscle problem but the 21-year-old is unlikely to feature this weekend, so DeAndre Yedlin is set to retain his place in the first XI.

As for Istanbul Basaksehir, they currently have a clean bill of health so Belozoglu has a fully-fit squad to choose from on Saturday.

Following last weekend's victory, Belozoglu has no reason to change his starting lineup, so the likes of Edin Visca, Nacer Chadli and Stefano Okaka are all expected to start once again in attack.

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

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Sahiner, Duarte, Ndayishimiye, Kaldirim; Turuc, Tekdemir, Ozcan; Visca, Okaka, Chadli

We say: Galatasaray 2-2 Istanbul Basaksehir

Istanbul Basaksehir will be full of confidence heading to the NEF Stadyumu, though Galatasaray will be fired up for Saturday's game as they aim to return to winning ways.

Goals are to be expected between these two sides, but with little to separate them, an entertaining score draw could be on the cards.

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