Preview: Adana Demirspor vs. Galatasaray - prediction, team news, lineups
Table-toppers Galatasaray will look to maintain their lead in the title race when they visit Adana Demirspor on Friday evening at the New Adana Stadium.
The hosts have a four-point lead at the top of the table with five matches left, 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 with Samsunspor at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium last Saturday.
Stiven Mendoza gave the Blue Lightning the lead four minutes before half time, but they failed to hold on for the win, conceding a goal two minutes into stoppage time.
Hikmet Karaman's side are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone but are also 10 points behind fourth-placed Besiktas, having picked up 41 points after 33 matches.
Adana's strength this season has been their solid home form. The Blue Lightning are the fourth-best team on home soil, picking up 31 points from 16 matches.
However, a meeting against the league leaders will surely threaten to end their ongoing 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 winning run in the Super Lig to 14 matches after a comfortable 4-1 victory over relegation-threatened Pendikspor at 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 Buruk's side have seen their lead at the top increase to four points after their closest rivals, Fenerbahce, dropped points in their last league outing.
The Lions will return to the road this Friday, looking to extend their six-match away winning streak when they visit a ground where they have not won since November 1994.
However, having won their last two matches against the hosts and given their hot streak, Gala will be looking to pick up a crucial win to take them closer to successfully defending the Super Lig title.
Team News
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Adana have a full squad to choose from ahead of this clash, as no player has been reported injured or suspended.
Mario Balotelli has scored seven goals in the league so far and is expected to lead the line once again.
The visitors have a full squad ahead of Sunday's clash as no injury or suspension has been 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 be looking to become the outright leading scorer on Friday.
The trio of Mertens, who found the net last time out, Baris Yilmaz and Hakim Ziyech are expected to provide support for the striker.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:Mahammadaliyev; Atal, Gravillon, Guler, Mohammadi; Akbaba, Maestro; Erdogan, Mendoza, Sari; Balotelli
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:Muslera; Kohn, Nelsson, Kutlu, Ayhan; Torreira, Demirbay; Ziyech, Mertens, Yilmaz; Icardi
We say: Adana Demirspor 1-3 Galatasaray
Galatasaray are in hot form at the moment and they look unstoppable. Though they have struggled in their recent visits to Adana, we think that they have the momentum to pick up maximum points against the struggling hosts.
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