Galatasaray vs Besiktas: What to expect from Super Lig derby, key players, stats

Galatasaray will host Besiktas at Rams Park on Monday in a key match for the Turkish Super Lig.

Both teams are based in Istanbul and have a long-standing rivalry, making this derby one of the most closely followed fixtures in Turkish football.

The Galatasaray vs Besiktas game kicks off at 9 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Central European Time) with live coverage on Bein Sports 1.

• Galatasaray aims to solidify its lead at 25 points
• Besiktas, currently at 20 points, seeks to close the gap

Recent form: Galatasaray’s offense vs. Besiktas’ defense

Both teams enter the derby in strong form and are looking to maintain their unbeaten league records. Here’s a breakdown of their recent performance:

Team	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals Scored	Goals Conceded	Avg. Possession	Key Players (Goals)
Galatasaray	9	1	0	3.0/game	0.9/game	57.4%	Icardi (6), Yılmaz (4)
Besiktas	6	3	1	2.0/game	0.9/game	58.3%	Immobile (8), Fernandes (4)

• Galatasaray leads the league with 25 points, benefiting from a potent attack led by Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen.
• Besiktas has 20 points, and their defense has proven strong despite some injuries impacting their lineup.

Lineup expectations: Anticipated formations, notable absences in Galatasaray vs Besiktas

Both teams face lineup challenges due to injuries and suspensions, but their core players are expected to start. Below are the predicted lineups for the Galatasaray vs Besiktas match:

Position	Galatasaray predicted lineup	Besiktas predicted lineup
Goalkeeper	Fernando Muslera	Ersin Destanoglu (if Mert Gunok is unfit)
Defense	Kaan Ayhan, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Baris Yilmaz	Jonas Svensson, Felix Uduokhai, Emir Han Topcu, Arthur Masuaku
Midfield	Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Yunus Akgun	Gedson Fernandes, Cher Ndour
Attack	Mauro Icardi, Victor Osimhen, Dries Mertens	Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, Ernest Muci, Ciro Immobile

Notable absences in Galatasaray vs Besiktas derby:

• Galatasaray: Left-back Ismail Jakobs remains sidelined due to injury, while Kaan Ayhan faces a potential suspension if he receives another yellow card.
• Besiktas: Goalkeeper Mert Gunok’s participation is uncertain, with Milot Rashica and Gabriel Paulista also awaiting final fitness assessments.

Key players: Offensive, defensive standouts for Galatasaray vs Besiktas game

Each team has its standout players who could greatly impact the match:

Galatasaray

• Mauro Icardi: With six goals in his last 10 matches, Icardi is a primary goal threat, especially strong in close-range situations.
• Lucas Torreira: Galatasaray’s leading playmaker with four assists, Torreira facilitates transitions from defense to attack.
• Victor Osimhen: Known for his pace and finishing, Osimhen has strengthened Galatasaray’s forward line alongside Icardi.

Besiktas

• Ciro Immobile: Besiktas’ top scorer with eight goals, Immobile’s experience and accuracy are central to their attacking strategy.
• Gedson Fernandes: Scoring four goals this season, Fernandes contributes to Besiktas’ offense and creative play.
• Rafa Silva: With three goals, Silva provides offensive depth and skill on the flanks.

Manager’s comments prior to Galatasaray vs Besiktas match: Buruk vs. van Bronckhorst

Ahead of the derby, Okan Buruk dismissed speculation that a Galatasaray victory would make them early favorites to win the league, stating, “Why should the league be over? We’re only at the beginning. I don’t agree with comments that a win would end the season.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus throughout the long season, adding, “We’re taking each match seriously, both in Europe and the league, approaching it game by game.”

Buruk also cautioned his players about the risks of underestimating their opponents. “Everyone gave Lyon the upper hand, yet Besiktas won. We need to know we’re facing a good team and act accordingly,” he remarked, stressing that Besiktas’s recent European success highlights the unpredictable nature of football.

Predictions Super Lig showdown: Galatasaray vs Besiktas match

Score Prediction: Analysts predict a 2-1 scoreline for Galatasaray, given their offensive form and home advantage.

High-scoring potential: Galatasaray’s goal-scoring trend and Besiktas’ counterattacking capabilities make a high-scoring game likely.

Key stats:

• Galatasaray has won five of their last seven home matches against Besiktas.
• Besiktas has struggled in away derbies, remaining winless in their last seven visits to Galatasaray.

Other important stats: Historical context, recent trends

Category	Galatasaray	Besiktas
Last 10 H2H matches	5 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses	4 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses
Home wins against Besiktas	29 in Super Lig	15 wins as the away team at Galatasaray
Last Super Cup match	0-5 loss to Besiktas (August 2024)	5-0 win over Galatasaray
Current unbeaten streak	10 matches across all competitions	3 matches, including two wins

Key matchups: Areas to watch during Galatasaray vs Besiktas match

• Midfield battles: Both teams average over 57% possession, making midfield control crucial. The duel between Torreira and Fernandes could define the game’s flow.
• Goalkeeping: Fernando Muslera brings stability to Galatasaray’s goal with recent clean sheets, while Besiktas faces potential uncertainty if Gunok remains sidelined.

The Galatasaray vs Besiktas derby promises intense competition, with Galatasaray’s offensive power facing Besiktas’ disciplined defense.

Galatasaray seeks to extend their lead and avenge their Super Cup loss, while Besiktas aims to close the gap and bolster their league standing. Expect a high-energy match that could sway either way.