Antalyaspor's clash against Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday at Antalya Stadium could have significant ramifications on the battle to stay in the Turkish Super Lig and on the race for European football.
The hosts' are 13th with 25 points, while Istanbul are sixth with 32 points and their 4-0 victory against Samsunspor on February 1 left them seven points from the division's fourth-placed Conference League qualifiers spot.
Match preview
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Antalyaspor narrowly beat Hatayspor 3-2 last Saturday but were deserving victors given they produced four big chances compared to their opponents' one, and the two goals they conceded came from a converted penalty and a cross near the right touchline that somehow bounced in.
Though the Scorpions are eight points and three places above the relegation zone, they have played a game more than Kayserispor, and their goal difference of minus 16 is worse than three of the first four teams below them.
Boss Emre Belozoglu has only been in charge for four matches but has overseen two losses in that period, including a 3-1 defeat against Bodrum FK in the Turkish Cup on Wednesday, which was the fifth time in eight games that his side have conceded at least twice.
Belozoglu's side were also beaten 5-2 by Sunday's visitors in the league on September 1 despite leading 2-0 by the 41st minute.
The hosts have lost five, drawn one and won two of their past eight fixtures, but they do boast a good home record considering they have triumphed in five of their seven most recent outings at Antalya Stadium, losing just once in that time.
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As for Istanbul, they prevented Samsunspor from creating any big chances while Krzysztof Piatek took home the match ball after scoring three of his team's six shots on target.
It should be noted that the away side have scored four goals in each of their last three games, and though they conceded six times in those matches, five came against Alanyaspor in a 5-4 defeat on February 25.
While manager Cagdas Atan will be pleased that his side are in contention for a place in Europe next term, his team's points per game average of 1.5 this campaign is slightly fewer than the 1.6 they averaged last season.
The Grey Owls defeated Corum FK 4-1 in the Turkish Cup on Tuesday and have in fact won three of their past four games by a cumulative score of 14-6, but they only achieved victory in one of their previous six – drawing three and losing two.
Atan's team have been poor on the road for some time, with the club losing six, drawing three and winning just one of their 10 most recent matches away from home.
Team News
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Antalyaspor could start Bunyamin Balci, Veysel Sari, Bahadir Ozturk and Guray Vural in defence considering they will be without defenders Burak Ingenc and Erdogan Yesilyurt.
Midfielders Deni Milosevic and Soner Dikmen will not be available for selection, so perhaps Jakub Kaluzinski and Erdal Rakip could be chosen to partner each other in the middle of the pitch.
Winger Emre Uzun has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, and his absence may lead to a start on the right flank for Andros Townsend.
Istanbul Basaksehir's only confirmed injury absentee is wing-back Christopher Operi, and his injury could mean that Deniz Turuc and Omer Ali Sahiner are set to flank a back three.
Strikers Krzysztof Piatek and Philippe Keny may be supported by a midfield consisting of Olivier Kemen, Berat Ayberk Ozdemir and Miguel Crespo.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Piric; Balci, Sari, Ozturk, Vural; Townsend, Kaluzinski, Rakip, Van de Streek; Larsson, Samudio
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Duarte, Opoku, Lima; Turuc, Kemen, Ozdemir, Crespo, Sahiner; Piatek, Keny
We say: Antalyaspor 1-3 Istanbul Basaksehir
The visitors' good form in front of goal should mean they come into the clash confident of creating numerous chances.
While Istanbul's record away from home is poor, Antalyaspor are still adjusting to their new manager's style and may be vulnerable on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
