Galatasaray vs Çorum FK Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | Pre-Season Friendly

Galatasaray begin their title defence against newly promoted Çorum FK at RAMS Park.

Galatasaray begin the defence of their Turkish Super Lig title when they host newly promoted Çorum FK on Friday, August 14. The fixture is also the opening match of the 2026-27 Turkish Super Lig season.

Cim-bom enter the campaign as reigning champions after finishing three points ahead of Fenerbahçe last season to win their 26th Super Lig title. They collected 43 points at home and scored 46 goals at home, both league-leading figures.

Çorum FK, meanwhile, are preparing for their first-ever season in the Turkish top flight after finishing fourth in the second division before winning the promotion playoff. They have made several additions during the summer, including goalkeeper Marcos Felipe, defender Andrei Borza and Turkey international Serdar Saatci.

Kick-off Details

• Competition: Turkish Super Lig, Gameweek 1
• Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM BST / 8:30 PM CEST / 11:00 PM IST
• Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul, Turkey
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: Not in use

Form

Galatasaray: W-L-L-D-L

Çorum FK: W-D-W-L-W

Players to watch out for

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Victor Osimhen was his side’s leading league scorer last season, scoring 15 goals in the Super Lig. He also finished with 22 goals across all competitions and scored in Gala’s final pre-season fixture against Villarreal.

Mame Thiam (Çorum FK)

Mame Thiam is expected to lead Çorum FK’s attack in their historic top-flight debut. Sports Mole identifies him as one of the visitors’ main attacking outlets, alongside Jesús Ramírez, who is expected to operate behind the striker.

Match Facts

• Galatasaray are the reigning Turkish Super Lig champions after winning their 26th league title last season.
• Çorum FK will play their first-ever Turkish Super Lig match in this fixture.
• Galatasaray won only one of their five pre-season friendlies, drawing one and losing three.
• Galatasaray collected 43 home points and scored 46 home goals in the previous Super Lig season, both league-best figures.
• Victor Osimhen scored 15 league goals and 22 goals across all competitions for Gala last season.

Betting tips & odds

• Tip 1: Galatasaray to win the match – 17/100 with bet365.
• Tip 2: Match to end in a draw – 6/1 with bet365.
• Tip 3: Çorum FK to win the match – 11/1 with bet365.

Injury & team news

Galatasaray are expected to have a strong squad available for the season opener, with Wilfried Singo the only confirmed absentee. The defender continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Okan Buruk is expected to retain Osimhen as the central striker, with Barış Alper Yılmaz and Yunus Akgün providing width and Leroy Sané also in contention.

For Çorum FK, several summer signings could make their competitive debuts, including Marcos Felipe, Andrei Borza and Serdar Saatci. Mame Thiam is expected to lead the attack, with Jesús Ramírez operating behind him. Veteran defender Sinan Osmanoğlu remains doubtful after suffering an injury in May.

Head-to-head stats

Galatasaray and Çorum FK have never previously met in a competitive match, making this their first competitive encounter.

Predicted lineups

Galatasaray

Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Ayhan, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Akgun, Sane; Osimhen

Çorum FK

Felipe; Sazdagi, Saatci, Smolcic, Borza; Ramadani, Karlsbakk; Abdulkareem, Ramirez, Rodriguez; Thiam

Match Prediction

Galatasaray’s home record, greater squad quality and experience at the top level make them clear favourites against a Çorum FK side playing its first Super Lig match. The visitors could keep the game competitive initially, but the Turkish giants should have enough attacking quality to secure three points.

Prediction: Galatasaray 3-0 Çorum FK

Telecast Details

In Turkey and the Middle East, the game will be exclusively broadcast live on beIN Sports.

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