Istanbulspor and Gaziantep lock horns in a clash between two Turkish Super Lig relegation candidates on Sunday.
The hosts, stuck at the bottom of the league, are coming off a derby defeat while the visitors were eliminated from the Turkish Cup during the week.
Match preview
Istanbulspor's relegation fears intensify as they sit bottom of the Super Lig with 11 points, a daunting 15 points from safety with just 14 games remaining.
Osman Zeki Korkmaz's team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Istanbul derby courtesy of a Krzysztof Piatek brace, extending their winless run to three matches.
Despite a brief respite in the form of a 1-0 victory against Kayserispor, Istanbulspor have now gone three league games without a win.
Their struggles this season stem from both ends of the pitch, scoring the fewest goals in the league (17) and conceding the second-most (44) after 24 matches.
This weekend, they host Gaziantep, a team they have only faced once at home in the Super Lig, drawing 1-1.
Gaziantep, meanwhile, have not won in seven league games, salvaging a 1-1 draw against Kayserispor at Gaziantep Stadium.
The Eagles fell behind after Eray Ozbek found the net for Kayserispor in the 11th minute. However, parity was restored when Gokhan Sazdagi hit the ball into his own net in the second half.
Gaziantep's struggles have seen them drop to 18th place with 24 points, two points adrift of safety with 14 games left to play.
Marius Sumudica's side are back on the road, where they have failed to win in their last three attempts, losing once and drawing twice.
However, they could be motivated by the prospect of a first-ever top-flight double over Istanbulspor, having won the first leg 2-0.
- W
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
Team News
Istanbulspor will be without 30-year-old forward Eduart Rroca, who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
His absence could open the door for Emir Kaan Gultekin to join Djakaridja Traore in a two-man attack.
Gaziantep will miss Max-Alain Gradel, as the Ivorian winger is competing in the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil.
Additionally, Omurcan Artan and Bryan Acosta are ruled as they are currently nursing muscle injuries.
Denis Dragus, Lazar Markovic and Mustafa Eskihellac are expected to lead the attacking line once again.
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Arda; Erdogan, Yesil, Deli; Sambissa, Vorobjovas, Santos, Loshaj, Yasar; Gultekin, Traore
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Ersoy, Kizildag, Sorescu, Djilobodji, M'Bakata; Maxim, Soyalp; Eskihellac, Markovic Dragus
We say: Istanbulspor 0-1 Gaziantep
Neither team has set the world alight this season, with both struggling to find the net and win games. However, Gaziantep are in a better place compared to the hosts, and this encounter could be the perfect opportunity for them to turn things around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
