Two teams battling for survival in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Saturday as Adana Demirspor host Bodrumspor at the New Adana Stadium.
The hosts have endured a torrid campaign and are destined for the drop, while the visitors sit just one point adrift of safety as they look to climb out of the bottom four.
Match preview
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Adana Demirspor looked to be on course for just their third league victory of the season last time out, as a Yusuf Barasi brace put them 2-0 up inside 37 minutes against Alanyaspor.
However, in what has been a recurring theme of their dismal season, the Blue Lightnings capitulated in the second half, conceding three goals, including a stoppage-time winner, to fall to a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat.
That setback was compounded by further misery off the pitch, as the club was docked six points by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee for walking off the pitch against Galatasaray.
It was their third points deduction of the season, leaving Mustafa Avci's side on -3 points and making an already impossible survival bid a mere formality with just 10 matches left to play.
Adana's focus now will be on salvaging some pride and avoiding further controversy, starting with Saturday's clash against newly promoted Bodrumspor, who secured a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
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Bodrumspor, meanwhile, have found form at the right time, building on their surprise 1-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir with another hard-fought 1-0 triumph against Hatayspor—both courtesy of George Puscas strikes.
New manager Jose Morais has made an immediate impact, going unbeaten in his first three league games with two wins and a draw, while also guiding his side to a 1-0 victory away at Sivasspor in the Turkish Cup on Tuesday.
This upturn in form has lifted Bodrumspor to 23 points, and while they remain in 17th place, they are now just one point from safety, and if they maintain their current pace, they could be out of the bottom four in a few weeks.
Perhaps most impressively, the Mugla-based side are yet to concede a goal under Morais, and with back-to-back away wins in all competitions, they will head into this fixture full of confidence against the league's bottom side.
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Team News
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Adana Demirspor will be without Bunyamin Balat, who is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.
Deniz Donmezer, who was forced off at half-time against Antalyaspor with a knock, missed the last outing and remains a doubt for this weekend's clash.
Bodrumspor, meanwhile, are still without Haqi Osman, who is expected to return in early March, while Suleyman Ozdamar is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Tunahan Akpinar remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury, and there is no confirmed timeframe for his return.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Karakus; Burak, Ersoy, Kalender, Kurtulan; Maestro, Celik; Aydogan, Kol, Alioui; Barasi
Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:
Sousa; Celustka, Ajeti, Aytemur, Sen; Aslan, Antalyali, Fredy; Seferi, Puscas, Okita
We say: Adana Demirspor 1-2 Bodrumspor
Bodrumspor's defensive resilience under Morais make them favorites against an Adana Demirspor side currently in turmoil, and with confidence soaring, Bodrum should edge this contest.
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