Istanbul Basaksehir travel to the home of newly crowned 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on Friday evening, hoping to dampen the celebratory mood after their own disappointment last weekend.
The Grey Owls saw their hopes of Europa League football slip away in dramatic fashion, suffering a shock 3-2 defeat at home to already-relegated Adana Demirspor, a result that left fans stunned and deflated.
Match preview
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For Galatasaray, last weekend was all about celebration, but even with a rotated and depleted side, Cimbom comfortably saw off Goztepe with a 2-0 victory away from home.
The match was merely a warm-up to the festivities that followed in Istanbul, where over a million supporters flooded the streets as the players paraded their 25th Super Lig title, and third in a row, atop an open-top bus.
It was an emotional occasion, not least because it marked the end of an era, as club legends Fernando Muslera and Dries Mertens bid farewell after glittering spells in red and yellow, with Muslera bowing out after securing his eighth league title.
While the party atmosphere will no doubt continue into Friday night, Galatasaray will want to finish the campaign in fitting fashion, especially in front of their home fans.
They have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last four league meetings and going unbeaten in five across all competitions, including a draw in the Turkish Cup back in January.
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Basaksehir, on the other hand, come into this contest looking to restore pride after one of their most disappointing performances of the season.
With a Europa League berth still mathematically possible heading into the final weekend, Cagdas Atan's side took a 2-1 lead into half time against Adana Demirspor and found themselves with a man advantage for the entirety of the second half.
Yet they collapsed, conceding twice and handing Adana only their third win of a miserable season, letting in a third late in stoppage time.
While Basaksehir have secured Conference League qualification, a result at Rams Park would go a long way toward making amends for last weekend's collapse.
However, Victory will not come easy though, as the Grey Owls have not beaten Galatasaray away in the league since 2019.
Recent away form offers some encouragement, having won their last two on the road, beating Hatayspor and Kasimpasa, and could make it three straight away league wins for the first time this season with a statement result in Istanbul.
Team News
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Ahmet Kutucu and Carlos Cuesta are set to start for Galatasaray, with Yunus Akgun and Abdulkerim Bardakci ruled out through injury.
Mauro Icardi has been sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear and will miss the remainder of the season, with his return not expected until the next campaign.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Muslera has completed his suspension and will return between the sticks for what will be his final appearance in a Galatasaray shirt.
Ousseynou Ba is expected to start in defence for Basakashir, with Hamza Gureler serving a suspension, while Matchoi Jalo will step in for the injured Miguel Crespo in midfield.
Goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer has completed his suspension and will return to the starting XI between the posts.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Jakobs, Sanchez, Cuesta, Frankowski; Kutlu, Demirbag; Kutucu, Sara, Morata; Osimhen
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Duarte, Ba, Opoku; Sahiner, Kunes, Djalo, Kemen, Operi; Keny, Piatek
We say: Galatasaray 2-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
Galatasaray are in festive mood and will likely rotate, but they still possess enough quality to defeat Basaksehir, who are still in shock from their disappointing loss against the league's worst side.
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