Galatasaray vs Ankaragucu Predictions

Galatasaray sit fifth in the Super Lig table five points behind league leaders Istanbul Basaksehir, but are level with the three sides directly above them and could move into second place this weekend. Visitors Ankaragucu occupy a mid table position as things stand, but remain just four points above the relegation zone and could could slip closer to the bottom three if they lose on Saturday.

Before the winter break Galatasaray played host to Sivasspor and recorded a much needed 4-2 win. Former Brazil international Robinho opened the scoring for the visitors after nine minutes, but Derdiyok equalised for the hosts via a twentieth minute penalty. Ten minutes after leveling the scores Galatasaray were in front after an effort from their Algerian international Feghouli, but Robinho scored his brace to ensure the teams went in at two goals apiece at the interval. On-loan Everton attacker Onyekuru earned the home side all three points with two goals in the second half, the first arriving in the fifty-first minute and the second in the sixty-ninth.

A second half capitulation saw Ankaragucu hammered 3-0 in their own backyard by Goztepe in their final Super Lig game before the winter break. The teams went in level at the break goalless, after what was a rather dull first half with just the odd chance for either team to score. The visitors were much more clinical in the second half through and it was English journeyman striker Cameron Jerome who broke the deadlock in the fiftieth minute. Akbunar made it 2-0 to Goztepe in the sixty-ninth minute after good work from Biyogo Poko, and former Newcastle United midfielder Gouffran wrapped up all three points with the visitors third goal ten minutes later.

When these two clubs met back in August for their reverse league fixture Galatasaray ran out 3-1 winners despite going behind early on. A seventh minute strike from El Kabir put the hosts in front, but this proved to be a false dawn for Ankaragucu as Aziz leveled for Galatasaray on the half hour mark and Bakary Koné scored an own goal to put the visitors 2-1 up at the break. The second half proved to be a much tighter affair, but Galatasaray sealed their victory thanks to a stoppage time strike from Derdiyok.

With two wins, three draws, and one defeat from their last six matches Galatasaray aren’t at their best right now, but do head into Saturday’s game as the form favourites. The visitors have lost four, drawn one, and lost one of their last six in league and cup, so confidence is bound to be low. With seven goals in the Super Lig this season Derdiyok leads the way in front of goal for Galatasaray, but on-loan Everton attacker Onyekuru is just one behind on six. El Kabir also has six goals in the league for the visitors and is easily their main goal threat.

We’re confident that Galatasaray will win to nil on Saturday, and have backed the final score to read 2-0. Galatasaray have won four of the last six meetings between the two club, and three of those have been accompanied by clean sheets. Ankaragucu have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions, while Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last three league and cup games and we can’t see this ending in anything but a comfortable victory for the hosts.