A crucial match in the Turkish Super Lig is set for Tuesday, as Fenerbahce hosts Gaziantep FK at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Following a surprising defeat last week, Fenerbahce is eager to bounce back. They currently sit seven points behind league leaders Galatasaray and aim to close the gap, especially since their rivals will not play this week.
Match Preview
Fenerbahce’s recent performance has been disappointing. The team, known for its high standards, experienced a damaging 2-0 loss to Fatih Karagumruk, which ended their unbeaten run. This defeat raised eyebrows and led to urgent discussions among the club’s president and board regarding the future of head coach Domenico Tedesco.
The Yellow Canaries have recorded only one win in their last four league matches, a narrow 3-2 victory over Samsunspor. Historically, Fenerbahce has an edge over Gaziantep, winning the last 11 matchups across all competitions.
Gaziantep’s Recent Form
In contrast, Gaziantep arrives in Istanbul with renewed confidence after a dominant 4-1 win against Antalyaspor. Mohamed Bayo’s two goals highlighted their attacking prowess, and they are currently unbeaten in their last three league matches, following draws against Fatih Karagumruk and Samsunspor. Despite recent improvements, Gaziantep has suffered two heavy defeats against Fenerbahce earlier this season, both ending in 4-0.
Team News
Fenerbahce faces significant challenges with injuries. Key players, such as Edson Alvarez and Nelson Semedo, will miss the match. Anderson Talisca and Caglar Soyuncu are also still recovering from injuries. Ederson, who was suspended in the last match, is expected to reclaim his position as goalkeeper.
For Gaziantep, Salem M’Bakata is out due to injury, and they will also miss Ali Mevran Ablak. Additionally, three players, Arda Kizildag, Christopher Lungoyi, and Nazim Sangare, are suspended for this match, which complicates their lineup.
Projected Lineups
| Fenerbahce | Gaziantep |
|---|---|
| Ederson | Bozan |
| Muldur | Perez |
| Demir | Mujakic |
| Oosterwolde | Sanuc |
| Mercan | Abena |
| Guendouzi | Sorescu |
| Kante | Gassama |
| Yuksek | Ozcicek |
| Akturkoglu | Kozlowski |
| Fred | Maxim |
| Cherif | Bayo |
Match Prediction
With immense pressure on Fenerbahce following their recent loss, this match offers them a golden opportunity to regain momentum. While Gaziantep has shown improvement, their poor track record against Fenerbahce may hinder their chances. Given the host’s superior squad depth and home advantage, Fenerbahce is favored to win, with a predicted score of 2-1.
