Atilla Karaoğlan has the derby
Atilla Karaoğlan referees Galatasaray–Fenerbahçe at RAMS Park on Monday 26 October, kickoff 21.30 (7). Ceyhun Sesigüzel and Süleyman Özay are his assistants. Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy is the fourth official (7). You now know exactly who is standing in the middle of your biggest match of the season.
Kartal's job rides on Monday
You led 2–0 against Slavia Prague on Tuesday and finished 2–2 (8). İsmail Kartal's future is back on the table after that draw (6)(8). Vincenzo Montella and Antonio Conte are the two names being floated if he goes (6). The Galatasaray match is the one that decides it (2).
You sit third on 16 points from 8 games, with a +16 goal difference. The league form is fine. The Champions League is where it hurt, and that 6–0 at Aston Villa on 14 October is still in the file.
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Aston Villa are coming to watch Oğuz Aydın
Aston Villa will send people to RAMS Park on Monday with one job: watch Oğuz Aydın (1)(3). Their scouts are coming to the derby specifically for him.
The Premier League club have already made first contact and want the winger in the winter window (5). Their interest sharpened after they beat you 6–0 in the Champions League in October (4). Aziz Yıldırım was blunt about him: "İyi oyuncu ama oyununu geliştirmek lazım," a good player who still has to develop his game (4).
Barış Alper Yılmaz is doubtful for Galatasaray
Galatasaray's Barış Alper Yılmaz played through the pain at Lille and felt worse after the match (9)(10). Whether the 26-year-old makes the derby depends on his tests (9). If he is out, that is one less problem for your back line.
Arsenal close the door on Can Uzun
Arsenal are moving for Can Uzun at €60 million (11). The 20-year-old was on Fenerbahçe's summer shortlist, and that price ends any idea of a future move (11).
Szymanski is stuck in Rennes
Sebastian Szymanski is short of minutes at Stade Rennais after leaving Fenerbahçe, and Napoli are watching (12). Rennes want at least €15m for him, and OM and Lyon are also around (12).
What comes after
Goztepe at home on 31 October, then Liverpool at home on 4 November in the Champions League (2). Both mean nothing until Monday is done.
