Galatasaray vs Hatayspor 03/09/20

03 September 2020

Galatasaray will be looking to maintain a 100% record to their off-season campaign when they meet Hatayspor at Turk Telekom Arena this midweek.

The hosts have got off to a flying start to their pre-season preparations, winning both of their opening summer friendlies ‘to nil.’ Both of those wins came against the sides that competed in the TFF 1. Lig last season and saw Galatasaray score the opening goal before the 25-minute mark. The Lions have been outstanding at Turk Telekom Arena this calendar year, losing just one of 14 matches, friendlies included (W11, D2). Free-scoring Galatasaray have netted over 1.5 goals in nine of those 14 fixtures, managing an average of 2.07 goals per game. Fatih Terim can also draw on his rock-solid defense that has kept a clean sheet in five of their last eight home outings.

Meanwhile, the visitors will join their hosts in the Turkish top-flight for the 2020/21 season following promotion from the TFF 1. Although it will be Hatayspor’s first warm-up fixture, they head to Istanbul on a three-game winning run. But, away from home, ‘Güneyin Yıldızı’ have won only once in their last five matches (D2, L2), three of which have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Curiously, all eight of Hatayaspor’s trips this calendar year have ended separating the sides by under 1.5 goals (W2, D4, L2), with six seeing both teams find the net. Yet, their only previous trip to Galatasaray resulted in a 2-0 defeat.