Göztepe 2 - 1 FT Fatih Karagümrük

Göztepe Rally to Stun Karagümrük at Gürsel Aksel Stadyumu

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 66/100. Göztepe’s clinical first-half turnaround solidified their top-four status while deepening the relegation fears for a resilient but wasteful Fatih Karagümrük.

The Early Setback

The atmosphere at Gürsel Aksel Stadyumu was electric as Göztepe sought to cement their place in the Süper Lig’s upper echelons. However, the script was nearly torn up when Serginho silenced the home crowd in the 13th minute. Capitalising on a precise delivery from B. Kalayci, the visitors surged ahead, momentarily threatening a major Upset. The early Intensity from Fatih Karagümrük caught the hosts off guard, as the relegation-threatened side played with the desperation of a team fighting for survival. Despite their lowly 18th position in the standings, the visitors moved the ball with surprising confidence during the opening exchanges, forcing the İzmir giants to recalibrate their tactical approach under significant pressure as they struggled to find their rhythm against an aggressive high press.

The Pivot

The defining moment of the contest arrived through a swift and ruthless response that saw the lead changed hands 3 times in a breathless first-half display. Refusing to let the early deficit linger, J. Olaitan dragged his side back into contention in the 20th minute, restoring Balance to a match that was rapidly turning into a shooting gallery. Göztepe’s superior firepower began to tell as they unleashed a barrage of 18 shots throughout the game, testing the resolve of the away defence repeatedly. The momentum swung definitively in favour of the hosts just before the interval when Janderson struck in the first minute of stoppage time. This goal completely altered the match’s trajectory, turning a nervous stalemate into a position of strength for the home side heading into the locker rooms.

Resolution

The second half was a story of defensive resilience as Göztepe protected their narrow advantage against a visiting side that controlled possession but lacked a clinical edge. Although Fatih Karagümrük controlled 56% of the ball, they struggled to penetrate a disciplined backline that has only conceded 12 goals all season. The Stakes could not have been higher for the visitors, who saw their survival hopes take another significant hit after a run of poor form. With a total of 26 shots recorded between the two sides, the match remained a high-octane affair until the final whistle, but Göztepe’s experience shone through in the closing stages. The tactical discipline shown by the Göztepe midfield prevented any late scares, ensuring the points remained in İzmir and moving the hosts further into the European conversation.

Göztepe chasing Europe, Karagümrük clinging to life

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 44/100. This is a survival check where an in-form top-four contender Göztepe meets a sinking Fatih Karagümrük side running out of road.

The Setup

On 31 January 2026 at Gürsel Aksel Stadyumu, the Süper Lig's 20th round serves up a stark contrast. Göztepe sit 4th with 35 points from 18 games, built on one of the league's meanest defences: just 10 goals conceded all season. Their Form line of WWWLW underlines a side that wins far more than it slips.

At the other end of the table, Fatih Karagümrük arrive in deep trouble. Eighteenth place, 9 points from 18 matches, 15 scored and 34 conceded with a -19 goal difference, plus an LDLLL run that screams crisis. This is framed as a classic survival storyline: anything positive in Izmir keeps hope alive, another defeat drags them closer to the drop.

For Göztepe, the attacking spotlight falls on Arda Kurtulan. Three goals in his last five games and a 7.3 average rating make him the form threat between the lines, constantly disrupting opposition Balance with his movement. Behind him, keeper Mateusz Lis has 13 saves and two clean sheets in his last five, giving Göztepe licence to play on the front foot.

Key Battle

The match tilts on Göztepe's structured possession game against Karagümrük's stretched, fragile back line. The hosts like to win the ball in midfield, then accelerate play through quick combinations into wide areas and the half-spaces around the box. When that clicks, opponents are forced into emergency defending.

Karagümrük, by contrast, often sit deep and hope to break with direct balls once they recover possession. The problem is the huge gaps that open between defence and midfield as they tire or chase the game, shattering their defensive Balance. If Göztepe drag them side to side and keep the tempo high, those gaps should appear again, inviting late runners and cut-backs.

Our Prediction

All arrows point the same way: Göztepe are strong favourites and should play like it. Expect an aggressive start, early pressure and plenty of possession around Karagümrük's area. An opening goal for the hosts feels likely before half-time, with the second period about control rather than chaos. Karagümrük's limited attacking punch and leaky defence make a comeback unlikely. Our call: Göztepe 2-0 Fatih Karagümrük, with the home side managing the game smartly once ahead.