Alanyaspor will look to make their favourites tag count when they host Adana Demirspor at the Bahcesehir School Arena on Sunday in the Turkish Super Lig.
Both teams enter this clash on winless runs, but with the hosts enjoying a far better campaign, they will see this as an opportunity to get back on track.
Match preview
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Alanyaspor sit seven points above the relegation zone with 28 points from 23 matches, yet their recent form is cause for concern, with only two wins in their last six league outings.
Sami Ugurlu's men suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Hatayspor last time out, squandering several chances due to poor finishing – a loss that followed the 2-0 home beating against Fenerbahce.
Returning to their home ground, Alanyaspor will look to respond against struggling Adana Demirspor, and having won four of their last six home games, they will be optimistic about their chances.
The hosts are also unbeaten in their last two meetings with Adana, winning the reverse fixture earlier this season and drawing the other. However, their last three home clashes against the visitors have ended in draws, including a Turkish Cup tie that Alanyaspor eventually won on penalties.
Despite starting the month on a positive note with back-to-back wins in the league and cup, Ugurlu's side have since suffered consecutive defeats, and with fixtures against perceived weaker opposition ahead, they will be keen to finish February strongly.
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Adana Demirspor, meanwhile, caused a surprise by holding Antalyaspor to a 1-1 draw last time out, though their off-field troubles continue to overshadow their campaign.
The visitors were recently handed another three-point deduction after forfeiting their match against Galatasaray, which was recorded as a 3-0 defeat, while former owner Murat Sanak was also suspended for 30 days and fined €13,100 (£10,759).
This is the second time this season that Adana Demirspor have been docked points and fined, having already been punished for breaching financial regulations earlier in the campaign.
As a result, they remain on just three points despite recording two wins and three draws in 23 matches, leaving head coach Mustafa Avci with an almost impossible task, as his side languish 20 points adrift of safety and are on a seven-match winless run.
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Team News
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Alanyaspor will be without Loide Augusto, who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, which could see Sergio Cordova start on the right flank.
Injury concerns include Buluthan Bulut and Florent Hadergjonaj, with the former ruled out for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.
There is some positive news, though, as Yusuf Ozdemir and Richard return from suspension and could be in line for a starting place.
Adana Demirspor remain without Bunyamin Balat, who is set to be sidelined for several weeks, while Andrew Gravillon is out for the rest of the season.
Deniz Donmezer, who was forced off at half time against Antalyaspor due to injury, will need to be assessed before this fixture, while Semih Guler has departed the club to join Gaziantepspor.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Karagoz; Aksoy, Lima, Aliti, Balkovec; Makouta, Richard; Cordova, Karaca, Augusto; Hwang
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Karakus; Burak, Ersoy, Kalender, Kurtulan; Maestro, Celik; Demirbag, Aydogan, Kol; Alioui
We say: Alanyaspor 2-0 Adana Demirspor
Alanyaspor will see this as the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways against a struggling Adana Demirspor side in turmoil, and with the visitors enduring a seven-match winless run and battling off-field issues, the hosts should dominate and secure a comfortable victory at the Bahcesehir School Arena.
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