Konyaspor will aim to extend their unbeaten run in the Turkish Super Lig to five matches when they entertain Antalyaspor at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium on Friday.
The hosts hold a seven-point lead over the visitors, who find themselves just four points clear of the relegation zone having lost two of their last three encounters.
Match preview
Following a run of one victory in 10 league outings, Konyaspor parted company with manager Ilhan Palut in mid-January, replacing him with former Partizan Belgrade boss Aleksandar Stanojevic.
The new manager struggled to find his feet at first, losing each of his opening four league games in charge, but Stanojevic has engineered a series of improved performances to steady the ship in recent weeks.
Indeed, Konyaspor claimed a memorable 2-1 victory over runaway leaders Galatasaray last month, coming from behind to end the Istanbul giants' 17-game winning streak courtesy of Ogulcan Ulgun's 93rd-minute strike.
The Anatolian Eagle also came from behind on two occasions to rescue a draw at Umraniye last time out, with ex-Manchester United striker Mame Biram Diouf scoring before Soner Dikmen became Konyaspor's latest stoppage-time hero.
After finishing third in the Super Lig last term, it was always going to be difficult for Konyaspor to improve this season, but Stanojevic's men are well placed to finish the campaign on a high note.
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When Antalyaspor secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Kayserispor last month – thanks largely to a brace from Haji Wright – it looked as though Nuri Sahin's men would begin to steer clear of relegation trouble.
However, the Scorpions swiftly returned to losing ways last time out, suffering a 2-0 defeat at Adana Demirspor to keep them four points outside the bottom four with the end of the season on the horizon.
Antalyaspor have now lost 13 of their 25 league matches this term, meaning that only three sides have suffered more defeats in 2022-23, so the manager and the players must find a winning formula before time runs out.
There is no hiding the fact that Antalyaspor have struggled on their travels this season, as they have managed to win just two of their 12 away league games, suffering eight defeats in the process.
It is also worth noting that Antalyaspor have failed to win any of their last seven away league outings, recording two draws and five losses in that time, with four defeats coming in their previous five clashes on the road.
Team News
Konyaspor look set to be without the injured duo of Uche Ikpeazu and Konrad Michalak on Friday as they continue to recover from muscle issues.
Guilherme has featured in all but one of Konyaspor's Super Lig matches this season, racking up two goals and four assists in the process, so the Brazilian will continue to play a key role at left-back.
Having netted nine goals in all competitions this term, top scorer Mame Biram Diouf could be restored to the starting XI on Friday, with Muhammet Demir dropping to the bench.
As for Antalyaspor, midfielder Mustafa Erdilman remains sidelined due to a muscle injury, while there are question marks over the fitness of veteran centre-back Fedor Kudryashov.
USA striker Haji Wright will continue to lead the line for the Scorpions, having bagged his fourth brace of the Super Lig campaign against Kayserispor.
Wright is likely to be supported by Sam Larsson, Alassane Ndao and Fredy, who are expected to line up behind the lone striker.
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Oguz, Demirbag, Demirtas, Guilherme; Dikmen, Bouchalakis; Emreli, Pozuelo, Moreno; Diouf
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Leite; Floranus, Sari, Uzunhan, Viral; Balci, Akyol; Ndao, Fedy, Larsson; Wright
We say: Konyaspor 3-1 Antalyaspor
Having established some consistency under Aleksandar Stanojevic, Konyaspor look set to claim a comfortable victory over struggling Antalyaspor, who are on course to suffer a fifth defeat in six away league outings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
