AP Sports Preview

ISTANBUL (Interstat) — Gaziantep FK hosts Rams Başakşehir FK on Saturday, May 16, in a Süper Lig matchup carrying contrasting stakes for both sides at Gaziantep Stadium.

The visitors enter the fixture in strong form, having won three of their last four league matches. Başakşehir most recently defeated Samsunspor 3-0 on May 9, following a 4-0 victory over Kasimpasa and a 3-0 win against Gençlerbirliği. Their lone setback came May 2, a 3-1 loss to league power Fenerbahçe.

Başakşehir has been particularly stout defensively in recent weeks, recording clean sheets in four of their past five outings. The club’s attack has also found rhythm, scoring multiple goals in three of those contests.

Gaziantep, meanwhile, enters on a three-match losing streak. The hosts fell 2-1 at Goztepe on May 9, following a 2-0 home defeat to Beşiktaş on May 1 and a 3-0 loss at Eyüpspor on April 25. Before that skid, Gaziantep had shown resilience, including a 3-0 win over Kayserispor and a 4-1 victory at Antalyaspor.

The head-to-head history, however, heavily favors the visitors. Başakşehir routed Gaziantep 5-1 in their most recent meeting on Dec. 22, 2025, in Istanbul. That result extends Başakşehir’s recent dominance in the series.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw, suggesting a tightly contested affair despite the contrasting recent forms. For Gaziantep to earn a result, the hosts must tighten a defense that has conceded nine goals during their current losing streak.

Başakşehir will aim to continue its climb up the table, relying on its disciplined defensive structure and opportunistic scoring. Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon local time in Gaziantep.