It feels like business as usual in the Turkish Super Lig, with Galatasaray top of the table ahead of the sixth round of matches, and the last batch before the international break.
They head to Trabzonspor, the last team to be crowned Turkish champions before Gala's current run of four titles and the side that made headlines in the summer by signing Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has scored four times in his five Super Lig appearances, but failed to make an impact in last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Konyaspor.
This game will be the Black Sea Storm's first under new head coach Thomas Reis and the home crowd will be expectant at Papara Park, but Gala beat Kocaelispor 1-0 in their most recent match and they can triumph again in Trabzon.
Trabzonspor v Galatasaray Tips Summary
Best Bet - Galatasaray to win @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Rafael Leao anytime goalscorer @ 5/4
Bet Builder - Gabriel Sara to score or assist, Both teams to score - No, Mohamed Salah 1+ shots on target & Fabinho 1+ shots @ 20/1
Trabzonspor v Galatasaray Prediction
Best Bet: Galatasaray to win @ 1/1
After drawing their opening game 2-2 with Corum, Galatasaray have won four in a row to move to the top of the Super Lig.
Losing 3-1 at Sporting Clube de Portugal in the UEFA Champions League raises questions about how they can translate their domestic dominance into European results, yet they are the favourites to retain their Turkish title.
Trabzonspor won the league in 2021/22 and, along with Salah, added other high-profile signings, with Fabinho and Ruslan Malinovsky also arriving on free transfers.
However, head coach Fatih Tekke offered his resignation after his team's Europa League elimination before being talked round and then eventually departing a few days later after a 2-1 defeat at newly promoted Amedspor.
Huseyin Cimsir oversaw a 5-0 home win over Genclerbirligi, before losing at Konyaspor.
They had 71 per cent possession and 15 shots, so Reis clearly has plenty to build on.
However, while Galatasaray prefer to dominate, playing a containing game against a side still gelling might be their best chance of winning on Saturday.
Alternative Bet: Rafael Leao anytime goalscorer @ 5/4
Victor Osimhen has missed Galatasaray's last two matches and, while he may be fit enough to make the squad, he remains a doubt.
That may give another former Serie A star, Rafael Leao, a chance to shine. The Portuguese signed from AC Milan on 29th August and made his first start in the victory over Kocaelispor.
Leao is searching for his first goal and could get it at Papara Park, should Galatasaray choose to sacrifice possession.
The 27-year-old is a wonderfully fluent runner when given space, and while his minutes have been limited, he is averaging five shots per 90 minutes.
Trabzonspor v Galatasaray Bet Builder Tip
Gabriel Sara to score or assist
Both teams to score - No
Mohamed Salah 1+ shots on target
Fabinho 1+ shots
Pays 20/1
Among Gala's main creators is Gabriel Sara, who has two goals and two assists this season and can play his role in attack again, but his side may be the only one to score.
Both teams' last matches finished 1-0 and Gala could keep another clean sheet. However, Trabzonspor won't be short of trying.
They had 15 shots against Konyaspor and Salah and Fabinho are players who always back themselves.
Salah has registered seven shots on target in four Super Lig appearances, while Fabinho had three efforts last Saturday and may try his luck again.
Key Match Stats
As of writing, Trabzonspor are ninth in the Super Lig standings on seven points (W2, D1, L2)
Galatasaray started the round top of the table after four wins and a draw
Rafael Leao averages five shots per 90 minutes since signing for Galatasaray
Team-mate Gabriel Sara has provided four goal contributions this season
Mohamed Salah has had seven shots on target in four Super Lig fixtures
Colleague Fabinho registered three shots in the defeat at Konyaspor
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
