Istanbul vs Goztepe SK – News and Probable Lineups

Istanbul Basaksehir, currently sitting in sixth place, will take on fifth-placed Goztepe SK at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium this Saturday, aiming to surpass their opponents in the Turkish Super Lig standings.

The Grey Owls are on 39 points, trailing Goztepe by three. However, a win could see them move ahead due to a better goal difference.

Match overview

As the season enters its crucial phase, Basaksehir will be keen to maintain their strong performance in pursuit of European qualification, as only Galatasaray (25) have earned more points than Basaksehir’s impressive total of 23 over the last 10 league games.

Their 3-2 loss to Besiktas last month remains their sole defeat in the past 11 league matches, with the team bouncing back by securing victories over Alanyaspor (2-1) and Konyaspor (2-0) in the subsequent games.

However, the Grey Owls faced disappointment midweek when they were eliminated from the Turkish Cup after a 4-2 home loss to Trabzonspor, dashing their hopes of winning silverware this season.

Now, the focus shifts back to league play, where Basaksehir will contend with an opponent that has recently troubled them, having lost both of their last encounters with Goztepe, including a 4-1 defeat last season and a 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign.

On a positive note for the hosts, both losses occurred away from home, and the last time Basaksehir welcomed Goztepe to their ground, they secured a convincing 4-1 victory.

Goztepe’s overall record at Basaksehir has been modest, with just two victories in six visits; notably, one of those wins came as recently as 2022.

Last season, both teams recorded compelling 4-1 home victories in this match, with Goztepe’s triumph in April 2025 being particularly notable, as it ended an 11-match winless spell and propelled a resurgence.

Stanimir Stoilov’s squad is coming off another challenging stretch, remaining winless in their last four league games, drawing three and losing one during that sequence, with their latest result being a goalless draw at home against Eyupspor. They will be seeking a victory to ignite a new turnaround.

Nevertheless, their lack of goals is a major concern, having failed to find the back of the net in those four outings. Goztepe possesses the lowest scoring tally among the top six, having netted only 27 times in 24 matches.

Ironically, their current league standing is largely due to defensive prowess, as they boast the strongest defense in the league, having conceded only 16 goals and kept a league-high 14 clean sheets, but their lack of attacking threat might endanger their hopes of a strong finish.

Team News

Basaksehir will be missing midfielder Olivier Kemen, who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Amine Harit continues to be unavailable following an injury against Alanyaspor, and Bertug Yildirim is also expected to be absent, as he has missed the last three matches.

Eldor Shomurodov has been the standout attacker for the club, having scored 16 league goals, leaving him just two behind the league’s top scorer.

In contrast, Davie Selke comes into this match in excellent shape, having found the net in four successive league fixtures, including a brace against Konyaspor.

Goztepe have few injury worries ahead of this fixture, with veteran defender Ismail Koybasi the only confirmed absence due to an unspecified injury.

Juan Santos and Janderson are likely to continue leading the line, though both forwards are currently facing goal droughts as Goz Goz aim to regain their scoring form.

Istanbul Basaksehir probable starting XI:

Sengezer; Sahiner, Duarte, Opoku, Operi; Ergun, Gunes; Fayzullaev, Shomurodov, Sari; Selke

Goztepe SK probable starting XI:

Lis; Allan Godoi, Heliton, Bokele; Cherni, Miroshi, Dennis, Bayrak; Krastev; Janderson, Juan Santos

Basaksehir comes into this match with stronger momentum and a more dependable attack, while Goztepe’s recent difficulties in front of goal make it hard to favor the visitors.

Despite the away team having the best defense in the league, their failure to score in the last four matches is a significant concern. Given that Shomurodov and Selke are in fine form, the hosts should be able to generate enough opportunities to find the net.