Match Preview

Two teams separated by a single place in the Süper Lig table, and only small statistical edges across almost every metric, meet in Kadıköy with leadership of the league on the line. Fenerbahçe’s fluent attacking game and fortress‑like home record will be tested by a Galatasaray side that has quietly built one of the most efficient defensive units in the division.

Recent History
Head to head at Şükrü Saracoğlu has tilted slightly towards Galatasaray in the last few years. Across Fenerbahçe’s last 5 home matches against their rivals, Fenerbahçe have taken just 1 win, with 1 draw and 3 losses. That sequence includes two defeats by at least a two goal margin in those last 5, underlining how punishing Galatasaray can be when they manage to control the game in Kadıköy. Even if Fenerbahçe have improved statistically as a league force, the recent direct encounters in this stadium still give Galatasaray a small psychological and tactical reference point.

You might also like

FC Barcelona's Fortress Power Meets Alaves's Strike Power in Intriguing La Liga Encounter

La Liga • Nov 29

Recent Form
Fenerbahçe arrive in outstanding shape in all competitions. Over their last 6 matches they have 5 wins and 1 draw, scoring an average of 2.83 goals per match and conceding 1. Their attacking volume is impressive: 21.33 total shots and 9.67 shots on target per game, with an average 54.17% possession. Narrow that to the last 3 home games and the picture becomes even stronger: 3 wins from 3, 2.33 goals scored and 1 conceded per match, and more than 22 shots attempted on average. Fenerbahçe are not only winning, they are doing it while consistently pinning opponents back.

Galatasaray’s recent form is solid, if slightly less dominant. Over their last 6 matches in all competitions they have 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, scoring 1.5 goals per game and conceding just 0.83. They average 19.83 total shots, 6.83 on target and a striking 65.83% possession, reflecting a side that prefers to dictate tempo and territory. Away from home their numbers remain strong, and they have shown they can keep control of matches even when the scoreline is tight.

Related News

Karl backed to start in Arsenal vs Bayern showdown

12:56 ago

Overall Performance
In the Süper Lig table, Galatasaray sit 1st with 10 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss from 13 matches. They score 2.15 goals per game and concede only 0.62, for a goal difference of +20. Fenerbahçe, in 2nd place, have 9 wins and 4 draws with no defeats in 13 games. They average 2.31 goals scored and 0.92 conceded, goal difference +18. The small variance tells its own story: Galatasaray are slightly more efficient defensively across the league season, while Fenerbahçe have marginally higher scoring power.

Trend data reinforces that both are long term winning machines domestically. Fenerbahçe have won 70% of their last 30 Süper Lig matches and have been undefeated in 93% of their last 40 league games. At home in the league they have won 83% of their last 30 and remained unbeaten in 93% of their last 40, with 40% of their last 15 home league matches being wins by at least two goals. Galatasaray’s league numbers are just as impressive: 9 wins from their last 12 Süper Lig fixtures, undefeated in 93% of their last 30 league matches, and 14 wins by at least two goals in their last 20 league games. Their home league trends are dominant as well, but here they must reproduce that level on Fenerbahçe territory.

Main Trends
Across all competitions, Fenerbahçe have won 58% of their last 40 matches and have not been defeated in 18 of their last 20. At home, they have 11 wins from their last 15 in all competitions and have been undefeated in 14 of those 15, with 40% of their last 30 home games ending in victories by at least two goals. The only clear negative in the data is historical: in their last 10 home meetings with Galatasaray they have lost 50%, underlining that this opponent has regularly disrupted their usual home dominance.

Galatasaray’s long term profile away is formidable. They have won 73% of their last 40 away matches in all competitions and remained undefeated in 80% of their last 20 away trips, with 10 wins by at least two goals across those 20. Clean sheets are a recurring theme: 9 in their last 20 away games in all competitions. Combined with their league record of 14 wins by at least two goals in the last 20 Süper Lig matches, this suggests that when Okan Buruk’s side get in front, they often turn narrow leads into comfortable victories.

Probable Lineups
Domenico Tedesco has leaned consistently on a 4-1-4-1 structure for Fenerbahçe, switching the holding role between İsmail Yüksek and Edson Álvarez. With Sebastian Szymański, Emre Mor, Abdou Aziz Fall, Archie Brown, Mert Hakan Yandaş and Çağlar Söyüncü sidelined, the core that started the last two matches is likely to continue.

Fenerbahçe probable XI:
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Nélson Semedo, Milan Škriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Levent Mercan
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez, Dorgeles Nene, Marco Asensio, Fred, Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Attackers: Youssef En Nesyri

Galatasaray have been stable in a 4-2-3-1 under Okan Buruk. With Mario Lemina, Yunus Akgün, Kaan Ayhan, Berkan Kutlu and Wilfried Singo unavailable, the recent preference for Uğurcan Çakır in goal and Victor Osimhen at centre forward should remain, while the creative band stays largely intact.

Galatasaray probable XI:
Goalkeeper: Uğurcan Çakır
Defenders: Roland Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı
Midfielders: Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Leroy Sané, Mauro Icardi, Barış Alper Yılmaz
Attackers: Victor Osimhen

Prediction
The statistical balance points to a very tight contest. Fenerbahçe have a flawless recent record in all competitions and are undefeated in their last 10, while Galatasaray carry stronger league defensive numbers and a notable edge in recent visits to Kadıköy. The Forebet algorithm slightly favours Galatasaray, with a 39% probability for an away win and a projected 2-1 scoreline in their favour. Taking into account Fenerbahçe’s unbeaten league run and home strength, a narrow away success remains plausible, so the prediction leans toward Galatasaray to win by a one goal margin, most likely 2-1.