Verdict: Galatasaray to score in both halves
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway this weekend, Galatasaray will travel to the Gaziantep Stadium on Friday night.
Gaziantep
Starting with the hosts, while Gaziantep might have eventually clung to their Super Lig status last season, Ismet Tasdemir’s side certainly limped their way over the finishing line in a worrying fashion. Playing out consecutive 2-2 stalemates against Adana Demirspor and Kasimpasa when signing off the 2024/25 campaign, the Falcons registered just a trio of points from any of their final seven top-flight appearances. Likewise, putting just a single win on the board after returning from March’s international break, the former Samsunspor appears to have a real job on his hands this time around. Slumping a 1-0 defeat when they last welcomed Galatasaray to town back on February 3rd, Gaziantep couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening weekend showdowns here.
Gaziantep Team News
Completing a permanent switch from Bosnian outfit Borac Banja Luka this summer, Enver Kulsain will make his competitive debut on Friday night. Despite signing off the 024/25 campaign with a muscle issue, French midfielder Quentin Daubin is free to feature here.
Despite notching just a quartet of Super Lig strikes last season, Ghanian striker Emmanuel Boateng should lead the line this weekend. Former Basaksehir misfit Furkan Soyalp will start in the middle of the park.
Galatasaray
As for the visitors, making real history last season as they clinched a 25th domestic crown, Galatasaray will be looking to make an early statement here. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign by winning all of their final 11 consecutive domestic appearances across all competitions, Okan Buruk’s men have received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Likewise, landing that 1-0 victory when they travelled to Gaziantep back in February, the Lions hold what is a dominant recent record against Friday’s hosts. In fact, the defending champions have won all of their previous five meetings by an aggregate score of 11-3. Once again widely regarded as the standout title contender this time around, Galatasaray will also be boosted by the permeant return of their attacking talisman.
Galatasaray Team News
Smashing the Turkish transfer record earlier in the week as they eventually managed to make Victor Osimhen’s move from Napoli a permanent one, the Nigerian superstar will lead the line here and make his second Galatasaray debut.
Returning from a knee injury last month, Yunus Akgun should be part of Ozbek’s travelling squad this weekend. Appearing to have cemented his spot as Galatasaray’s number one choice on either side of the summer interval, 34-year-old Gunay Given should keep his spot between the sticks.
Gaziantep vs Galatasaray Key Factors to Consider
- When Galatasaray last travelled to Gaziantep back on February 3rd, the defending Turkish champions collected a 1-0 victory.
- In fact, the Lions have won all of their previous five meetings against Friday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 11-3.
- Galatasaray won all of their final 11 appearances across all competitions last season.
- During his loan stint last season, Victor Osimhen bagged 26 goals in his 30 Super Lig appearances.
- Galatasaray recorded 91 goals in their 36 Super Lig appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.
Conclusion
Officially getting the defence of their Super Lig crown underway on Friday night, Galatasaray will be confident of laying down an earl marker here. Looking to come flying out of the traps after winning all of their final 11 domestic appearances last season, the Lions are rightfully installed as a landslide contender here. Winning all of their previous five showdowns against Gaziantep by an aggregate score of 11-3, Friday’s hosts couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening weekend battle.
Verdict: Galatasaray to score in both halves
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Luckster
