Fenerbahce vs. Galatasaray / Turkish Super Lig – On the second day of weekend we have a very attractive match in the 11th round of Turkish Super Lig as two great rivals will face each other in Istanbul, Fenderbahce and Galatasaray. True, after a long time neither of the two teams is positioned in the top of standings; Fener currently occupies fifth place while Galata is third, having just two points more. Recently, Fenerbahce is in better shape, it has a streak of four wins, while Galatasaray lost two times in three previous championship rounds. Regarding their head-to-head in previous season, the two teams drew both championship matches, while Galata won the final of the Turkish Cup 1-0. Begins: 20.11.2016 – 18:00 CET
Fenerbahce
It in fact means that Fener has an additional motive to retaliate to their bitter rival, regardless that last year another team from Istanbul won the title, which is Beshiktas. Fact that after a weaker start coach Advocaat’s players have gotten the right rhythm confirms that are fully capable to win all three points on Sunday, who have a streak of three wins in the championship which propelled them to the fifth position in the standings.
Besides, in the Europa League Fenerbahce is still in race to reach the knockout phase, given that two rounds before the end it occupies the first place in the Group A and has the same number of points like second-placed Feyenoord, seven, which is just one more than Manchester United. Anyway, we believe that their thoughts are fully occupied by the coming championship match against their bitter city rival, Galatasaray, especially if they win they would overtake them in the Super Lig standings. Let’s add that out of action for this match are suspended midfielder Topal, injured defender van der Wiel and forward Lens, while not fully recovered van Persie is questionable.
Probable lineups Fenerbahce: Demirel – Ozbayrakli, Kjaer, Skrtel, Kaldirim – Tufan, Souza – Sen, Chahechouhe, Potuk – Emenike
Galatasaray
Unlike Fenerbahce, which is in the best possible mood ahead of this great city derby, in Galatasaray ranks are rightfully worried after losing two out of last three championship matches. What is most painful is fact that they lost both matches at their stadium, to Trabzonspor and in previous round to leading Basaksehir, so now they are lagging behind them for even six points and four behind second-placed Besiktas. On the other hand Fener has closed in on them in the meantime on just two points difference, which is all not a good development ahead of the greatest derby of Turkish football.
Coach van Riekerink’s players had won two matches in between the said defeats, firstly at home over lower-division Dersimspor in the Turkish Cup, and then over Adanaspor away in the championship. That triumph cost them Cigerci and Oztekin who earned double yellow cards, so they had to skip match against Basaksehir, just like not fully recovered stopper Balta, but now all of them should be in the starting line-up, while Kaya, de Jong and Gumus should move on the bench. Regarding injured players, on the list are only stopper Gunter and forward Sigthorsson.
Probable lineups Galatasaray: Muslera – Sarioglu, Balta, Chedjou, Carole – Inan, Cigerci – Bruma, Sneijder, Oztekin – Derdiyok
Head To Head
Fenerbahce haven't lost to Galatasaray in their last 20 meetings at home. There's been just eight goals in the last six meetings between these two.
Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray Stats
So far this season, Galatasaray have seen a single goal in 40% of their matches. Fenerbahce come ino this game in great form, having won four out of five in the league.
Fenerbahce Team News
Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel, Uygar Seybek and Sunderland loanee Jermaine Lens are all missing for this huge game.
Galatasaray Team News
Galatasaray are missing Koray Gunter and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson for this clash.
