Sports Mole previews Friday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Adana Demirspor and Galatasaray, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Table top Galatasaray will look to maintain their lead in the title race when they visit Adana Demirspor Friday evening at the new Adana Stadium.
The hosts are four points clear at the top of the table with five matches remaining, while the visitors are in mid-table.
Match Preview
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Adana Demirspor are winless in their last three matches after a 1-1 draw against Samsunspor at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium last Saturday.
Stiven Mendoza gave the Blue Lightning the lead four minutes before halftime, but they failed to hold on to the win, conceding a goal two minutes into added time.
Hikmet KaramanThe Algiers side are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone, but are also 10 points behind fourth-placed Besiktas, having collected 41 points after 33 matches.
Adana’s strength this season has been their strong home form. The Blue Lightning are the fourth best home team, collecting 31 points in 16 matches.
However, a meeting against the league leaders will surely threaten to end their three-match unbeaten run at home. The hosts are unbeaten in the last two matches against the visitors at the new Adana Stadium, winning one and drawing the other.
Galatasaray extended their Super Lig winning streak to 14 matches after a comfortable 4-1 victory over relegation-threatened Pendikspor at the Kazim Karabekir Stadium last time out.
Mauro Icardi And Abdulkerim Bardakci found the net for the Lions in the first half before Dries Mertens And Kerem Akturkoglu added more goals in the second half.
With five games remaining, Okan BurukThe Fenerbahce team saw their lead at the top increase to four points after their closest rival Fenerbahce dropped points in their last league match.
The Lions return to the road this Friday, looking to extend their six-game away winning streak when they travel to a ground where they have not won since November 1994.
However, having won their last two matches against the hosts and given their successful streak, Gala will be looking to secure a crucial victory to move closer to successfully defending the Super Lig title.
Form of Turkish Super Lig Adana Demirspor:
Galatasaray Turkish Super Lig form:
Team News
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Adana have a full squad to choose from ahead of this clash, as no players have been reported injured or suspended.
Mario Balotelli has scored seven league goals so far and is expected to lead the line again.
The visitors have a full squad ahead of Sunday’s clash with no injuries or suspensions reported.
Icardi took his tally to 20 goals last time out, becoming the joint-top scorer in the Super Lig this season, and he will look to become the all-time top scorer on Friday.
The Mertens trio, who found the net last time, Baris Yilmaz And Hakim Ziyech should provide support to the attacker.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Mahammadaliev; Atal, Gravillon, Guler, Mohammadi; Akbaba, Maestro; Erdogan, Mendoza, Sari; Balotelli
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Kohn, Nelson, Kutlu, Ayhan; Torreira, Demirbay; Ziyech, Mertens, Yilmaz; Icardi
We say: Adana Demirspor 1-3 Galatasaray
Galatasaray are in great form at the moment and look unstoppable. Although they have struggled in their recent visits to Adana, we believe they have the momentum to collect maximum points against the struggling hosts.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
