Kayserispor will be hoping to secure their inaugural victory in the Turkish Super Lig this season when they face Eyupspor at Kadir Has Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the newly promoted visitors will be aiming to preserve their unbeaten record in the top flight on this trip.
Match preview
© Imago
Having played just two matches so far, Kayserispor are still searching for their first win of the new campaign. The Anatolian Star lost 2-1 against Sivasspor in their opening game before a goalless draw with Konyaspor in their most recent league outing.
These results leave Burak Yilmaz's side with one point and in 17th place, although they have played two fewer games than every other team in the relegation zone, which gives them some positives.
However, despite the excuse of playing two fewer games than most, it feels less than ideal start for a side looking to avoid being in a similar situation as the previous season when they finished in 14th place, just two points above the relegation zone while employing three different managers.
Yilmaz will hope his side can improve their performance and result when they take on Eyupspor in a first-ever top-flight meeting between both sides, but the evidence on the ground suggests that might not be the case.
The Anatolian Star are without a win in their last six Super Lig matches, dating back to the previous season, drawing and losing three each, while they are also on a six-match winless run on home soil.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Eyupspor's promising start to their maiden top-flight season continued as the newly-promoted side played out a goalless draw with one of the league's powerhouses, Trabzonspor, in their latest league fixture.
Despite having just 43% possession, the Istanbul-based team had more goal attempts (12), and registered more shots on target (eight) than their highly-rated opponent.
Arda Turan's men remain unbeaten after four matches, picking up two wins and two draws each, which has left them in fourth place with eight points, two points behind league leaders Fenerbahce.
While Eyupspor will be facing Kayserispor for the first time in the Super Lig, they are not unfamiliar opponents, having previously met twice in the Turkish Cup – both matches ended in defeat for the visitors.
However, Turan's side will enter this clash with confidence, given their ongoing five-match unbeaten run on the road dating back to the previous season in the TFF First League, a run that includes a victory over Sivasspor in their most recent away outing in the Super Lig.
Team News
© Imago
Kayserispor are expected to remain without centre-back Majid Hosseini, who sustained an ankle injury in January.
Miguel Cardoso has scored the hosts' only goal so far in this campaign and will hope to get on the scoresheet again when he leads the line.
Eyupspor have a number of players sidelined for this clash through injuries, including 24-year-old forward Ahmed Kutucu, who has three direct goal contributions in the opening four matches.
Recep Niyaz (knee), Caner Erkin (leg), and Taskin Ilter (ankle) are also out of this clash and are all expected to be missing for the next couple of weeks.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazdagi, Kocaman, Jeanvier, Carole; Yilmaz; Morte, Bourabia, Mane, Nazon; Cardoso
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Bingol, Yalcin, Claro, Meras; Midtsjo, Kabasakal, Akbaba, Saiz, Tokoz; Thiam
We say: Kayserispor 1-2 Eyupspor
Kayserispor have continued their struggles from last season, which will likely be punished by an Eyupspor side that has so far demonstrated their readiness for the top flight, and for this reason, we are predicting a victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
