Two teams that have struggled in the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig campaign will face off on Saturday when Hatayspor host Kayserispor at Mersin Stadyumu.
Both teams will enter this clash searching for their first win of the season after eight games – a struggle that has left both teams in the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Hatayspor have remained winless since the start of the season, notching three points from a possible 24 after drawing three and losing five matches.
Riza Calimbay's men have alternated between losses and draws in their last four matches, picking up two each, but their most recent encounter ended in a 3-2 defeat against Sivasspor last Sunday.
The Star of the South are second from bottom heading into this clash and are already five points off the safe zone, but competing against another fellow struggling team this weekend is a good opportunity to pick up valuable three points.
However, this fixture has not been favourable for Hatayspor in recent times, having lost four and drawn one of the last five installments, though the draw was in the most recent meeting.
Calimbay will be hoping his side's two goals in their last match are a sign of things to come for their attack, as this has been a big issue this season, leaving them with the second-joint least goals scored (seven) alongside bottom side Adana.
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Kayserispor came from behind twice to draw 2-2 in their last match against Gaziantep, which has now seen them draw back-to-back games and a fifth in eight matches.
It was Sinan Kaloglu's first game in charge of the team, and he will be encouraged by the fact that his side dominated the possession, shot attempts, and shot on target stats, while hoping to build on that.
Kaloglu will hope he can charge the team to their first league victory this season when they travel to a place where they have won in their last two visits, scoring six times and conceding only one.
The Anatolian Stars are just three points from safety, and a win on Saturday could see them achieve this if other results are favourable to them.
Team News
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Hatayspor's only absentee will be 25-year-old midfielder Chandrel Massanga, who is nursing a foot injury expected to keep him sidelined until next month.
Rigoberto Rivas found the net in the last game and is expected to retain his spot on the wings, while Vincent Aboubakar leads the line.
Kayserispor will remain without centre-back Majid Hosseini, who is sidelined with a foot injury, and Julian Jeanvier, who is nursing a muscle issue.
Miguel Cardoso and Aylton Boa Morte scored in the last match, taking both of their goal tallies to two each, and both will be hoping to make the difference once more on Saturday.
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Kardesler; Corekci, Kilama, Calvo, Sertel; Diack; Saglam, Bamgboye, Pedro, Rivas; Aboubakar
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazdagi, Carole, Attamah, Kaldirim; Yilmaz, Kaldirim; Morte, Cardoso, Mane; Bahoken
We say: Hatayspor 1-1 Kayserispor
This is a clash between two teams struggling to secure victories in games, and both will view this match as a good opportunity to claim their first win of the season – however, we believe that their qualities will neutralize each other, resulting in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
