Two teams with contrasting fortunes will clash in a gameweek 24 fixture at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.
European hopefuls Eyupspor will be chasing a win to boost their quest for continental football next season, while 16th-placed Kayserispor will continue their fight to stave off relegation.
Match preview
© Imago
Eyupspor's performance in their first Turkish Super Lig campaign has been hugely impressive, with the debutants pushing for European football next season.
Arda Turan's charges finished fifth in the first half of the 2024-25 season, and they followed that up with four consecutive wins in the second half of this term, before a narrow 1-0 loss to Trabzonspor halted their winning streak last time out.
Despite the loss, the Istanbul-based outfit sit fourth in the standings, after amassing 39 points from 22 fixtures – only four behind Samsunspor in the lone UEFA Europa League spot.
The success of the newcomers has been predicated on their potent attacking force, and a solid defence, with 34 goals scored, and 20 conceded – a defensive record which is the best in the Turkish top flight.
The debutants also boast one of the best home records in the league, having claimed seven wins, two draws and a loss in 10 fixtures, with three of those victories recorded in their last four matches at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium.
Up against a Kayserispor side with only two wins on the road this term, the hosts will be confident of returning to winning ways this weekend.
© Imago
Indeed, Kayserispor have been generally poor in the current campaign, but a recent four-game winless streak on their travels has further hampered their chances of beating the drop.
Incidentally, Kayserispor's last away win came at the very stadium they will revisit on Sunday courtesy of a 2-1 win over Kasimpasa on November 8, but since then the Anatolian Star have suffered three losses and managed one draw on the road, with 11 goals conceded in that run.
They did earn a hard-fought 3-2 win over Konyaspor in their last top-flight fixture, to end a six-game winless streak, however, they are still embroiled in a relegation scrap.
Last season, the visitors beat the drop by just two points, and now 16th in the standings with 20 points from 21 matches this term, they find themselves in a familiar territory — another escape could play out this season, if Sergej Jakirovic's team start churning out the much-needed results, provided outcomes of matches with a direct bearing on their situation go their way.
Going into this contest, Jakirovic's men will aim to leverage their unbeaten record against the hosts – a run which includes two wins and a draw in all competitions.
Team News
© Imago
The home side have some injury concerns ahead of this fixture, with as many as four starters ruled out of Sunday's encounter.
Fredrik Midtsjo and Taskin Ilter are long-term absentees, and they are not expected to be listed in the matchday squad.
Similarly, Recep Niyaz and Leo Dubois are also out injured, but Caner Erkin is available for selection, after serving his suspension.
As for the visitors, Sergej Jakirovic is dealing with several injury issues going into this contest, with Anthony Uzodimma, Julian Jeanvier, Eray Ozbek and Lionel Carole all sidelined.
Meanwhile, Hasan Ali Kaldirim and Stephane Bahoken are both suspended for this contest, so Duckens Nazon is expected to step up and lead the attack for the visitors.
Dimitrios Kolovetsios, Nurettin Korkmaz and Joseph Attamah are likely to be named in the back four, alongside Gokhan Sazdagi.
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Erkin, Yalcin, Claro, Vezo; Kayan, Kabasakal; Ampem, Mor, Akbunar; Thiam
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazdagi, Kolovetsios, Atammah, Korkmaz; Karimi, Yilmaz; Cardoso, Bourabia, Mane; Nazon
We say: Eyupspor 2-0 Kayserispor
Arda Turan and his team have taken the Turkish Super Lig by storm, posting impressive results for most of the season so far.
Although they did suffer a loss in their last league outing, the home side are likely to see that as a blip in their charge towards securing European football next season.
Having claimed 11 wins this term, with seven of those coming at home, coupled with Kayserispor's poor form, we are backing Eyupspor to claim a 2-0 victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
