Three Turkish volleyball matches share one shape: a settled side meeting an opponent that keeps giving sets away, and the gap shows in how the sets have actually gone.
Istanbul GSK against Galatasaray: GSK is eleventh with one league win in four, has conceded three sets in eight of its last ten, and played a five-set loss only a few days ago with a European game next. Galatasaray have absorbed the loss of their opposite Jean Patry, out since mid-October with a thumb tendon rupture. After a loss at Halkbank in the first game without him they won three straight, 3-1, 3-0 and 3-0, with Maar, Kaplan and Koç scoring steadily. I expect them to take the first two sets and close in three or four. That's why I'm siding with Galatasaray to win by a clear set margin.
Gaziantep Genclik against Alanya: Alanya beat weaker sides and lost to strong ones, and its recent losses came against title-level Fenerbahce and in one five-setter. It arrives with a full week of rest against four days for Gaziantep, who just played a five-set away match. Gaziantep scores about one set per game at home. Lineups are not out, so I'm only backing the Alanya win, not a margin.
Sultanbeyli against Spor Toto: Sultanbeyli is 0-4 in the league, has won two sets in six games and was outserved and out-received in its home loss to Gebze, where its receiver was targeted again and again. Spor Toto won 3-1 last time out and carries no known absence. I'm siding with Spor Toto to win, expecting a three or four set match.
