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Galatasaray and Besiktas will square off in a massive Istanbul derby, with great implications in the fight at the top of the Super Liga standings as well. There are two rounds to go and Galatasaray leads the league with 3 points in front of Fenerbahce, while Besiktas is on the 3rd place, 4 points away from Fener – needing a win if they are to stand any chance of challenging for the second spot.
Before losing 2-1 in the Cup to Sivasspor midweek Galatasaray put together a run of 6 consecutive wins in all competitions, allowing a single goal. The hosts are in excellent form, high on morale and can book the title this round if they win and Fenerbahce does not. The loss against Sivasspor holds little relevance, as Galatasaray fielded a 2nd string lineup, resting all important players for today’s derby clash.
Besiktas was in a good spot to win the title one month ago, but they really blew it all in the last three rounds – gaining just 2 points against the likes of Akhisar, Gaziantem and Konyaspor – who beat them 1-0 in Istanbul last round. The visitors are way off their optimal level and morale is at an all time low. They not only lost the title, but most likely Champions League football as well, as their chances to finish second are virtually non existent right now.
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Team news & lineups:
Galatasaray will have to do without Pandev and Aydin, while Chedjou and Kaya are doubtful. Besiktas has huge problems in the goalkeeper department – first choice GK Zengin is out and reserve Gonen is highly doubtful, so the visitors will likely have to field the third choice keeper, Guvenc, in the starting lineup. Milosevic, Boral and Kavlak are all questionable.
Galatasaray: Muslera – Sabri, Kaya, Balta, Telles – Melo, Inan – Oztekin, Sneijder, Colak – Yilmaz
Besiktas: Guvenc – Kurtulus, Gulum, Sivok, Ramon – Hutchinson, Arslan – Tore, Sosa, Sahan – D. Ba
Such rivalries and derbies can always be a little tricky to bet on, but you have to feel that Galatasaray is highly unlikely to endanger their shot at the title against a team in total disarray like Besiktas is now. The visitos lost all their seasons’ hard work in just three matches and objectively they have nothing left to fight for. Look for Galatasaray to make a statement, dominate the game and be the more aggressive and fiery team. Playing with the third choice keeper will not help Besiktas.
There`s also the fact that the visitors have been poor lately against their rivals, with Slaven Bilic’s tactics often being put to question – so it doesn`t look likely that their derby record will improve today, when everything seems to be against them. My tip is Galatasaray to win. Prediction: Galatasaray – Besiktas 2-1.
Pick: Galatasaray
Odds: 1.95 @ SmartLiveSports
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.65
Event date: 24 May
