Turkish Super Lig | Gameweek 24

Feb 17, 2025 at 5pm UK

Caykur Didi Stadyumu

Caykur Rizespor vs Galatasaray

Match preview

Galatasaray maintained their six-point lead at the top of the Super Lig after claiming maximum points against bottom side Adana, albeit in controversial circumstances.

As expected, Cimbom dominated from the start and took the lead in the 12th minute through Alvaro Morata's penalty after Dries Mertens was fouled.

However, just 16 minutes later, Adana's manager ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest at the penalty, leading to the abandonment of the match, and investigations later revealed that the order came from the club's chairman, Murat Sancak, who has since resigned amid the fallout.

Away from the domestic drama, Galatasaray faced Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League knockout play-offs on Thursday and suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat, leaving the Turkish champions with a huge task in the return leg next Thursday.

Before turning their attention to the Europa League, Cimbom will focus on the Super Lig when they visit Rizespor in a bid to maintain their six-point lead over title rivals Fenerbahçe.

Historically, Galatasaray have been dominant in this fixture, winning 33 of their 50 meetings with Rizespor, including the last five, all in the Super Lig.

Meanwhile, Rizespor have suffered two successive league defeats, including a 3-2 loss at Kasimpasa that followed a similar defeat at Fenerbahçe.

The results have left Ilhan Palut's side 12th in the standings with 27 points from 22 games, seven clear of the relegation zone.

A third successive defeat could see the Black Sea Sparrowhawks slip closer to the danger zone, and facing a dominant Galatasaray at this time of year only adds to the challenge.

However, Rizespor will once again look to their home support for inspiration, having gone nine competitive home games without defeat.

Recent Performance

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:DWLWLL

Caykur Rizespor form(all competitions):WLWLWL

Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:WWWDWW

Galatasaray form (all competitions):DDWLWL

Team News

Rizespor will be without Dal Varesanovic and Samet Akaydin, both suspended for accumulating yellow cards.

Eray Korkmaz is the only injury concern, although Ibrahim Olawoyin and Rachid Ghezzal return to the starting XI after serving suspensions.

Galatasaray, on the other hand, will be without Yunus Akgun and Ismail Jakobs, both out with muscle injuries.

Mauro Icardi is out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament rupture, but Fernando Muslera, Lucas Torreira, Abdulkerim Bardakci and Baris Alper Yilmaz return to the squad after serving suspensions.

Possible starting lineup

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Hojer; Olawoyin, Papanikolaou; Akintola, Omur, Ghezzal; Sowe

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Sanchez, Cuesta, Bardakci; Kutucu, Sara, Lemina, Frankowski; Mertens; Osimhen, Morata