Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe: Preview as Osimhen eyes derby goal

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is expected to lead Galatasaray's attack in Monday's Süper Lig derby against Fenerbahçe, days after scoring against his former club Lille in the Champions League.

Osimhen has six league goals this season. He scored in the 61st minute of Galatasaray's 4-2 win at Lille on 21 October, his first Champions League goal of the campaign, and chose not to celebrate against the club where he spent 2019/20. Soccernet previewed that game in its Lille preview.

He is back from a right adductor strain that kept him out of Nigeria's last qualifiers. He returned for Galatasaray on 9 October and set up a goal in a 3-1 win over Kasımpaşa.

Match facts

Form guide: Fenerbahçe arrive on three straight league wins

Fenerbahçe have won their last three league games and come to RAMS Park with confidence. Galatasaray have the Lille result behind them and a home record that gives them the better of the argument.

Head-to-head: a long unbeaten home run

Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last 39 Süper Lig home games at RAMS Park, with 31 wins and eight draws. Fenerbahçe were the last side to win there in the league, 1-0 in May 2024.

Fenerbahçe have not won any of the last four league derbies against Galatasaray, with two draws and two defeats, including a 3-0 loss at RAMS Park in April.

Key battles

Nigerian connection: Osimhen against a short-handed back line

Fenerbahçe's defensive options are thinner than usual. Nathan Aké is expected to miss around three weeks with a hamstring injury, Mert Müldür (meniscus) and Jayden Oosterwolde are concerns. That gives Osimhen a more stretched back line to attack than the visitors would want.

Team news

Galatasaray have a doubt over Rafael Leão, who has a groin strain, and Barış Yılmaz played through discomfort in midweek. Torreira and Lesley Ugochukwu are available again after suspensions.

Fenerbahçe are without Marco Asensio, who had knee cartilage surgery. Amara Diouf has yet to feature since arriving.

Analysis: why the derby tilts towards Galatasaray

Three numbers point the same way: a 39-game home run without defeat, four derbies without a Fenerbahçe win and a visiting defence missing Aké. If Leão is unavailable, Osimhen carries more of the attacking load, which suits a striker who scored in Europe on Wednesday after two blank Champions League games. Soccernet also looked at why his Champions League record stands out among Nigerians.

Fenerbahçe's three straight wins mean this is no formality, and a derby can turn on one set piece.

Verdict

Galatasaray's home form and Osimhen's sharpness give them the edge, but Fenerbahçe's recent run should keep it close and make a one-goal margin the likeliest outcome.