Galatasaray out to break Başakşehir jinx
Toto Super League leader Galatasaray travels to its closest rival in the standings, Başakşehir, on Nov. 18, hoping to end a losing streak against the city rival.
Galatasaray has lost its last three games against Başakşehir, last season’s runner-up, which has a remarkably successful record against four big clubs in the league.
The club based in an Istanbul suburb has lost only once against Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor in the last 18 games it has played against them since 2016 in the league and cup competitions.
Başakşehir won eight of those matches, drawing in nine, with its only loss coming at Fenerbahçe last season.
The team has not lost a game against Galatasaray since 2016, winning the last three of four matches in that period.
Başakşehir scored 11 goals in those four games, while conceding only five.
Galatasaray, with only one loss in 11 games so far this season, sits atop the league standings with 26 points, while Başakşehir trails by three points in the second.
The home side has won four of its last five league games since a surprise 1-0 loss at relegation-bound Gençlerbirliği, and wants to win again to get on the same points with the leader.
Also in on the league action on Nov. 18, İzmir club Göztepe wants to end its slump when it visits on-form Bursaspor.
High-spending Antalyaspor, which is likely to face chaos after chairman Ali Şafak Öztürk announced his resignation mid-week, will need a victory at Konyaspor to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Cellar-dweller Gençlerbirliği will play a crucial game at home against Kayserispor on Nov. 19, while its city rival Osmanlıspor, who is also having nightmares of dropping out of the top flight, travels to Trabzonspor.
On the same day, Alanyaspor will entertain Malatyaspor at home.
Under-fire Fenerbahçe coach Aykut Kocaman will have to convince the fans he can turn things around when the Istanbul club hosts Sivasspor in the late game of the day.
Karabükspor will host Kasımpaşa in the last game of the week on Nov. 20.
