The Stakes

Is it really possible to have a title-decider in September, just a handful of games into a new season?

It is in the Turkish Super Lig. After all, last year’s epic, nail-biting title race between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce saw just three games lost between the pair all season, with Gala eventually clinching with just a three point lead over their city rivals.

With both Turkish teams having beefed up their squads even more over the transfer window, the margins between winning and losing the Super Lig title are wafer thin once again.

With five games gone in the new campaign, Galatasaray have been perfectly imperious with five victories. Fenerbahce have drawn one of their first five, so Saturday’s demolition derby on home soil is a chance to make amends for that ‘slip-up’ and move to the top of the standings.

The Players

Galatasaray pulled off the transfer coup of the season by bringing in Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker had been linked with $120 million moves to PSG, Chelsea … pretty much every elite club in Europe looking for a fearsome forward who both puts the ball in the back of the net and lifts supporters from their seats.

Instead of a big money move away from Napoli, Osimhen joined up with Galatasaray on loan just before the transfer window closed. No fee. All goals. Minimal cost. Even Fenerbahce boss, Jose Mourinho, had to applaud the deal made by his team’s arch rivals, but also noting that the striker dives too much.

It wasn’t as if Galatasaray were short of goals in the first place. After all, the reigning champions already had Mauro Icardi in their ranks and Michy Batshauyi, as well as Dries Mertens and Hakim Ziyech literally waiting on the wings.

Fenerbahce are not short of firepower either with the ageless Edin Dzeko already off to a flyer in the Super Lig this season with four goals from five. The Balkan striker is now being ably supported up front by Youssef En-Nesyri and Allan Saint-Maximin.

This is exactly why an incredible thirty goals have already been scored between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray this season, in their opening ten Super Lig games.

The Maverick

Jose Mourinho is not so much the elephant in the room in Saturday’s game but the T-Rex in a tiny house. The Portuguese Provoker is already pulling out his classic moves on the touchlines: arguing with officials, berating the opposition, calling conspiracy and playing to the crowd.

However, Mourinho was brought in at great expense by the Fenerbahce bosses to win this match, on this day in front of the home supporters. This is what the Special One is supposed to do. That’s why it’s double or quits for Mourinho on Saturday. A victory not only puts Fener at the top of the table but delivers bragging rights in this fierce city rivalry. A loss? Another sign that Mourinho’s magic is fading and a potentially unassailable lead at the top of the table for Galatasaray.

Saturday - 12:55PM ET - Fenerbahce vs. Galatasaray - live on beIN SPORTS