Galatasaray vs Gaziantep preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

The defending champions are not only the Turkish league leaders but also hope to retain the title for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, the visitors will fancy a chance to cause upsets and possibly pick up valuable points away from home.

Galatasaray are top of the League table with 42 points from 17 matches played so far this season (W13, D3, L1). The team are unbeaten in their last 5 league games, showing consistency. However, they felt the absence of Osimhen in their 2-0 Super Cup lose to Fenerbahce.

Winning this fixture is vital for the Lions if they wish to reduce the pressure from the second placed Fenerbahce side, who are trailing with just 3 points. And playing in front of their home fans will give Okan Buruk's men the advantage they need to secure all 3 points.

Meanwhile, Gaziantep are 9th on the table and will fancy gaining a higher standing. Although recent results show some level of improvement on the visitors' side, facing the table leaders will be a very hard test for Burak Yılmaz and his boys.

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Galatasaray have dominated the fixtures against Gaziantep as they have only been beaten once in their last 14 matches across all competitions (W11, D2). The last meeting ended in a 3-0 victory in favour of the home team.

The major absence for the Galatasaray side is Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who is at the AFCON 2025 representing Nigeria. Ismail Jakobs is also away with the Senegalese team, who are through to the final of the continental tournament.

On the positive side, Mauro Icardi will be leading the attack in the absence of the Nigerian-born striker, while being assisted by Sane up front.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Gaziantep as the manager will field a very solid lineup to face the defending champions. Yilmaz will be delighted that Winger Ali Mevran Ablak is very close to coming back to join the team

Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Guvenc; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Karatas; Torreira, Gundogan; Sane, Sara, Yilmaz; Icardi

Gaziantep (4-3-3): Gorgen; Perez, Guler, Kilzidag, Rodrigues; Ozciceck, Camara, Kozlowski; Sorescu, Boateng, Bayo

There's a wide margin between Galatasaray and Gaziantep in terms of squad depth, player quality, and H2H history. The home side is the clear favourite in this fixture, and bettors can bet on them to win at Livescorebet. Bettors should also expect to see quite a number of goals, especially from the hosts.

Prediction: Galatasaray 3-1 Gaziantep

• Bet on Galatasaray to win.

• Over 2.5 goals

• Over 7.5 corners