Football: Galatasaray to host Fenerbahce in derby

ISTANBUL

Turkish football club Galatasaray will host arch-rivals Fenerbahce in the Spor Toto Super Lig derby at Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday evening

The derby between the Istanbul heavyweights was supposed to be played on March 20 but was postponed for security reasons.

The match will start at 7.30 p.m. local time in Turkey (1630GMT).

Galatasaray are obviously far behind in the Super Lig title race, as the derby’s home team is in the number seven spot with 40 points. Meanwhile their opponents, Fenerbahce, are still hopeful for the title since they are in second place with 60 points, just behind leader Besiktas with 66 points.

Galatasaray aim to win the derby to please their fans, who feel upset by the team’s poor showing this season. Fenerbahce are also looking for a win, as they don't want to sink into despair during the title race against leaders Besiktas.

Galatasaray center back Aurelien Chedjou and forward Sinan Gumus are injured, so they will miss the derby. Additionally Galatasaray left-back Lionel Carole, who was booked in the previous league match, is suspended for the match against Fenerbahce.

Galatasaray's Dutch star Wesley Sneijder, who missed the last three league matches due to injury, is expected to play in the derby. In addition to Sneijder, Galatasaray’s experienced central midfielder Selcuk Inan is expected to be on the pitch.

Visitors Fenerbahce's Serbian winger – loaned from Liverpool – Lazar Markovic is suffering from a thigh injury.

The Turkish Football Federation said on Tuesday that the derby will be refereed by Mete Kalkavan.