Fenerbahce vs Gaziantep Prediction: More Istanbul bliss for Bayo

After winning just one of their last four league games, Fenerbahce have fallen seven points behind rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig title race. Tuesday's contest against Gaziantep at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (17:00 GMT) can surely be filed under 'must win', then.

Below are my Fenerbahce vs Gaziantep predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

West Ham United loanee Ederson Alvarez (ankle) is out injured for Fenerbahce alongside former Leicester City centre-back Caglar Soyuncu (muscle) and ex-Wolves wing-back Nelson Semedo (knee), while a muscle issue looks set to rule Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca out of a sixth consecutive game.

Football Odds

Gaziantep, meanwhile, saw three players, Arda Kizildag, Christopher Lungoyi and Nazim Sangare, pick up costly yellow cards in last Friday's 4-1 win at Antalyaspor, with the trio all suspended for Tuesday's trip to Istanbul.

In the treatment room, meanwhile, are Salem M'Bakata and Ali Ablak (both knee), while Kevin Rodrigues and Badou Ndiaye (both unspecified) are both doubtful of featuring against Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce vs Gaziantep Odds

Fenerbahce, who have won the last 10 head-to-heads across all competitions, including a couple of 4-0 away victories this season, one in the Super Lig and the other in the Turkish Cup, are massive favourites to triumph on Tuesday, with odds of 1/5 implying an 83.3% probability of success.

Gaziantep, meanwhile, are 10/1, or a 9.1% chance, to shock the Yellow Canaries, with the draw offered at 9/2.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Fenerbahce & Yes @ 13/8

Fenerbahce have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning all 10 meetings since Gaziantep claimed a 3-2 victory on home soil in December 2021.

The Falcons did manage to score in six of the first eight defeats, but they've blanked in both head-to-heads this season, suffering a 4-0 home loss in the Super Lig in October and losing by the same scoreline in the Turkish Cup earlier this month.

Today's Football Fixtures

However, while I think the Yellow Canaries will prove too strong again on Tuesday, there are vulnerabilities present in their back line that the visitors can take advantage of in Istanbul.

Domenico Tedesco's side lost 2-0 at Karagumruk last Friday, and they've failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six league games, conceding at least twice in four, including the last three. Their last Super Lig shutout on home soil came in a 4-0 thrashing of Konyaspor on December 15, and they're averaging a goal conceded per home game across the campaign (12 in 12).

Gaziantep, meanwhile, should have a spring in their step following last Friday's 4-1 hammering of Antalyaspor.

While their opponents last week aren't anywhere near the level of Fenerbahce, a 1-1 draw at leaders Galatasaray on January 17 should give them the belief that they can at least get on the scoresheet this Tuesday; in fact, Burak Yilmaz, who made 18 appearances for Fenerbahce during the 2008/09 season, has seen side score and avoid defeat at three clubs currently ranked in the top five (1-1 vs Trabzonspor, 2-2 vs Besiktas).

Bet Builder - Both Teams To Score (Yes) & Mohamed Bayo (GAZ) Anytime Goalscorer @ 3/1

Only four players have scored more Super Lig goals this season than Gaziantep striker Mohamed Bayo, whose brace against Antalyaspor last Friday took him to 12 goals in 21 appearances.

The 27-year-old has been particularly prolific away from home, with two-thirds (eight) of his strikes coming on Gaziantep's travels, including a brace at Besiktas and an effort at Galatasaray, two of Turkish football's 'Big Three' alongside Fenerbahce.

Bayo has already made a name for himself in Istanbul this season, and I'm backing the Guinea international to add Fenerbahce to his list of victims on Tuesday.