Match Information

• Date: 17/02/2025
• Kick-Off Time: 04:00am AEST (25/02/2025)
• Round: 25 of 38 in the Turkish Süper Lig

The Istanbul Derby

This derby, called the Intercontinental Derby or in Turkish (Kıtalararası Derbi), is one of the most significant fixtures in Turkish football. It is widely regarded as the biggest football match in Turkey and one of the biggest in international football due to the success of both clubs, the intensity of the matches, and the immense rivalry between the two teams.

The fixture has been in existence for more than a century and has developed into one of the most intense and often bitter derbies in the world, traditionally attracting very large attendances and nearly equal support for both teams throughout the country. The derby is known as “intercontinental” because Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are two of the major Turkish teams from the Asian and European parts of Istanbul, respectively.

The first ever game played between the two sides was a friendly on 17 January 1909, at the (Papazın Çayırı) where Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium is located today, finishing 2–0 in favour of Galatasaray. Fenerbahçe achieved their first victory over Galatasaray when they defeated them 4–2 in the 4th game week of the Turkish League on 4 January 1914.

On 21 September 2003, the two clubs played a Süper Lig game in front of a record attendance of 71,334 people, ending in a 2–2 draw. The biggest win achieved by Galatasaray was a 7–0 victory on 12 February 1911. The biggest modern-day victory was when Fenerbahçe won 6–0 against Galatasaray on 6 November 2002, with four goals scored despite being one man down.

Current Standings

• Galatasaray: 1st place
• Fenerbahçe: 2nd place

Both Turkish clubs are looking to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League and aiming to leapfrog their rivals to win the league this season.

Team News

Galatasaray

• Injuries:
  • Mauro Icardi (ACL) – return date: June 2nd, 2025
  • Ismail Jacobs (achilles tendon) – return date unknown
  • Yunus Akgün (knee injury) – return date: February 21st, 2025
  • Álvaro Morata (hamstring strain) – return date: March 3rd, 2025
• Suspensions:
  • None

Fenerbahçe

• Injuries:
  • Allan Saint-Maximin (flu) – return date: February 21st, 2025
  • Alexander Djiku (muscle injury) – return date: February 21st, 2025
  • Çağlar Söyüncü (hamstring injury) – return date: February 27th, 2025
  • İsmail Yüksek (torn thigh muscle) – return date: February 27th, 2025
  • Diego Carlos (inner ligament injury) – return date: March 17th, 2025
  • Dominik Livakovic (torn thigh muscle) – return date: February 21st, 2025
  • Rodrigo Becão (ACL) – return date: July 15th, 2025
  • Jayden Oosterwolde (ACL) – return date: June 2nd, 2025
• Suspensions:
  • None

Match Preview

With both teams fighting for Europe, this is expected to be a close match.

Prediction: 2-1 Galatasaray