Round 23
Rizespor vs. Galatasaray
Çaykur Didi Stadyumu, Rize, Turkey.
17.02.25 at 20:00
Rizespor, aiming to climb up to ninth place in the league standings, welcome formidable Galatasaray to the Çaykur Didi Stadyumu in the 23rd round of the Turkish Super Lig. Rizespor are 12th on 27 points, while Rizespor lead at the top with a six-point cushion.
Let's head into the match preview to find the best odds on the Rizespor vs. Galatasaray game and my expert picks to place your bets.
Get Your Sign-Up Bonus!Rizespor
Form: LLWLW
Rizespor's trip to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium on Sunday saw them lose 3-2 against Kasimpasa. It has been a tough period for the hosts this season as that defeat marked their 11th in 22 games.
Before this, İlhan Palut's men had no trouble dispatching second-tier Ankaragucu by cruising to a 2-1 home win in the Turkish Cup group stages. This was thanks to early first-half goals from Dal Varešanović and Václav Jurečka.
In terms of their league form, the Black Sea Sparrowhawk heads into this clash riding a two-match losing streak. Digging deeper into their performance, the home team has managed just two wins in nine games (D2, L5)—nothing but indication of a side that has struggled for consistency.
Probable Starting XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Hojer; Olawoyin, Papanikolaou; Akintola, Omur, Ghezzal; Sowe
Galatasaray
Form: WWWWD
Victor Osimhen's absence in the UEFA Europa League has had a negative impact on Galatasaray's performance. Osimhen - serving a three-match suspension - saw his side suffer a humiliating 4-1 away defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the knockout playoffs.
Cimbom now turn their attention to the Turkish Super Lig—with their last match in this competition not ending as expected. In his debut, Alvaro Morata scored from the spot to give his team a 1-0 lead against Adana Demirspor. It was that very penalty decision which saw the opposing team abandon the game just after the half-hour mark.
Okan Buruk's men have been in excellent form in the league. The visitors have yet to suffer defeat in 22 games, recording 19 wins and 3 draws. They come into this match boasting a four-match winning streak.
Probable Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Muslera; Sanchez, Cuesta, Bardakci; Kutucu, Sara, Lemina, Frankowski; Mertens; Osimhen, Morata
Match Facts
- Rizespor has lost three of their last four matches in the league.
- Galatasaray has won nine of their last ten away league games.
- Rizespor's last home win against Galatasaray was in June 2020, emerging 2-0 victors.
- Galatasaray has scored four or more goals in three of their last four meetings against Rizespor.
Head-To-Head
In the last 38 meetings, Rizespor has won 6 times, Galatasaray has won 24 times, and there have been 8 draws with the goal difference being 94-49 in favour of Galatasaray.
History of Head-to-Heads
Super Lig 2024/2025
Galatasaray
Super Lig 2024/2025
Rizespor
Super Lig 2023/2024
Rizespor
Super Lig 2023/2024
Galatasaray
Super Lig 2021/2022
Rizespor
Rizespor Latest Games
Rizespor 
Rizespor
Gaziantep FK
Rizespor
Eyupspor
Rizespor
Galatasaray Latest Games
Galatasaray
Galatasaray
Sivasspor
Galatasaray
Bodrum FK
Galatasaray
Expert Betting Tips
Rizespor has a solid record at home this season and I'm pretty sure they can make life difficult for the high-flying Galatasaray. This is the same team that almost beat Fenerbahce two weeks back only for their plans to be derailed by two red cards. So if I were you—I wouldn't be too quick to write them off.
Galatasaray has been unstoppable on the road this season and this is where they've fared better compared to playing at home. However, there have been some issues at the back with the team conceding a goal on four occasions.
This is why I'm inclined to believe that the home team can get on the scoreboard in what will be a high-scoring affair. That said, I'm backing both teams to score combined with over 2.5 goals.
Our main prediction for the match: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 for 1.80 with Bet365.
2nd prediction: Total - Over 3 for 1.67 with 1xbet.
3rd prediction: Anytime Goalscorer - Victor Osimhen for 1.98 with Betway.
Other predictions
