Galatasaray host arch rivals Fenerbahce at the Turk Telekom Arena hoping to offer their fans something to celebrate after a nightmarish season.
The intercontinental derby was initially supposed to be played last month but was postponed after a terror threat at the Turk Telekom Arena.
The Lions will be without Hamit Altıntop who has been out for what seems like an eternity due to injury and Sinan Gumus will also be out. Sabri Sarioglu is a doubt, while Olcan Adin is suspended.
Fenerbahce will be without on-loan Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic but Alper Potuk returns from injury.
The Yellow Canaries suffered a blow to their title hopes after a 2-1 defeat against third placed Konyaspor on the weekend. Galatasaray meanwhile are without a victory in their last five games.
Fenerbahce would however, close the gap with league leaders Besiktas to just three points with a victory tonight.
The form book does of course fly out the window when it comes the the derby as both sides will give it their all for the bragging rights of being the kings of Istanbul. Ironically the only king of city will be Besiktas if Galatasaray do indeed win.
The Lions welcome back captain Selcuk Inan and playmaker Wesley Sneijder for the big game. Fenerbahce meanwhile have a full strength squad with the exception of Markovic.
Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last 12 home games and have not lost against Fenerbahce at the Turk Telekom Arena in their last five games. The Lions have been poor this season but they will be desperate to give fans something to cheer about tonight. Fenerbahce meanwhile must win if they are to keep pressure up on Besiktas. Expect both sides to attack and considering Galatasaray have a pretty dismal defensive record it would not be a surprise for this to be a high scoring game.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
GALATASARAY – FENERBAHÇE
Stadium: Türk Telekom Arena
Referee: Mete Kalkavan
Kick-Off: 19:30 (Local Time)
Galatasaray: Muslera, Semih Kaya, Jason Denayer, Hakan Balta, Olcan Adın, Ryan Donk, Selçuk, Yasin, Emre, Sneijder, Podolski
Manager: Jan Olde Riekerink
Fenerbahce: Volkan Demirel, Gökhan, Kjaer, Alves, Hasan Ali, Mehmet Topal, Josef de Souza, Volkan Şen, Nani, Diego, Robin van Persie
Manager: Vitor Pereira
