A game that could have a major impact on the Turkish Super Lig title race will take place on Friday, as Samsunspor host league leaders Galatasaray at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.
Cimbom saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end last time out, reducing their lead at the top of the table to just three points.
Match preview
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Galatasaray returned from the international break with a 2-1 derby defeat to Besiktas, ending their hopes of an invincible league campaign and allowing Fenerbahce to close the gap to three points.
Besiktas struck first through Rafa Silva, and Galatasaray’s situation worsened when Przemyslaw Frankowski was controversially sent off in the first half – however, Lucas Torreira produced a moment of brilliance to equalise with a stunning long-range effort on the stroke of half-time, before Gedson Fernandes netted the winner for the Black Eagles in the 66th minute.
Just days later, Galatasaray were involved in another fiercely contested clash, this time in the Turkish Cup against Fenerbahce, and emerged with a 2-1 victory in a fiery encounter that saw both sides reduced to nine men.
Despite that morale-boosting win, Galatasaray have managed just two victories in their last seven matches across all competitions, piling pressure on Okan Buruk, and with performances faltering in recent weeks, any further slip-up could prove costly in their pursuit of the title and the manager’s future.
Nevertheless, a trip to Samsun may come at the right time for Cimbom, with the hosts struggling for form and the visitors having dominated this fixture in recent years.
Galatasaray have won each of the last six meetings between the sides, scoring at least two goals in every one of those encounters.
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Samsunspor, like their visitors, are also at risk of slipping from a position they have occupied for some time, as they currently sit just three points clear of fourth-placed Besiktas.
Thomas Reis‘s men are winless in their last three league outings and have picked up only one victory in their previous six league matches, suffering three defeats and drawing twice.
Last time out, the Red Lightning fell to a 2-1 defeat against Antalyaspor, failing to take their chances in front of goal and conceding the decisive strike with just six minutes remaining.
At home, Samsunspor have suffered back-to-back defeats, with their only recent success at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium coming against bottom-placed Adana Demirspor, a win flanked by losses to Caykur Rizespor and Kasimpasa.
Team News
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Samsunspor will be without Marc Bola due to injury, which could see Soner Gonul drafted into the starting line-up.
Celil Yuksel is also sidelined, potentially opening the door for Carlo Holse to slot into a holding midfield role, while Soner Aydogdu remains unavailable as well.
Galatasaray continue to be without star striker Mauro Icardi, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Przemyslaw Frankowski is suspended following his red card in the derby defeat, but the league leaders will be buoyed by the return of Ismail Jakobs, who is now fully fit and expected to start at left-back.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Gonul; Holse, Ait Bennasser; Muja, Kilinic, Schindler, Mouandilmadji
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Akgun, Torreira, Lemina, Yilmaz; Osimhen, Morata
We say: Samsunspor 1-2 Galatasaray
Samsunspor are currently experiencing a dip in form, having suffered back-to-back defeats, and with Galatasaray eager to preserve their slender lead at the top of the table, the visitors should possess enough quality and depth to overcome a fatigued and out-of-sorts opponent.
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