Round 27 kicks off in the Turkish Super Lig with Samsunspor hosting Caykur Rizespor at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium on Friday evening.
The hosts are hoping to steer further away from the drop zone while the visitors will look to rejuvenate their charge towards European qualification.
Match preview
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Samsunspor managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Gaziantep at the Gaziantep Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to two matches.
The Red Lightnings fell behind with seven minutes remaining when Ogun Ozcicek found the net for Gaziantep, but they were able to rescue a point in stoppage time via Lubomir Satka.
This result saw Markus Gisdol's side climb to 12th place on the table with 30 points, two points above the relegation zone.
Samsunspor were on a four-match unbeaten run in the league prior to the Galatasaray defeat, and they will now look to replicate such a form having defeated Antalyaspor and drawn Gaziantep in their last two matches.
Their record at home will leave them confident ahead of Friday's clash, having picked up 23 of their total points at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium while also picking up four wins, a draw and just one defeat in their last league matches on home turf.
However, Gisdol's side will be cautious after losing the first leg to Rizespor in October, a game settled by a late goal from Benhur Keser.
Meanwhile, Caykur Rizespor's poor form continued as they lost 3-1 to Fenerbahce at the Caykur Didi Stadium last time out, extending their winless run to four games.
Ilhan Palut's side now have only one win from their last six league matches (D1, L4), putting their European aspirations at risk.
This poor run of results has seen Rizespor drop to sixth place, seven points adrift of third-placed Trabzonspor and fourth-placed Besiktas.
The Black Sea Sparrowhawks are back on the road where they are winless in their last 10 matches across all competitions, with nine of those games coming in the league.
If Palut's side are to get anything from this fixture, they will have to sort out an attack that has scored just 28 goals in 26 matches this season.
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Team News
Samsunspor have a clean bill of health ahead of this fixture, leaving Gisdol with a wealth of options on Friday.
Marius Mouandilmadji should continue to lead the attack as he looks to add to his seven goal tally in the league.
Olivier Ntcham should return to the supporting role after missing the last match through suspension.
Rizespor are expected to remain without midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike, who continues to recover from an ACL injury.
Gokhan Akkan and Keser are also out with back and hamstring injuries respectively, leaving room for Adolfo Gaich to play from the start.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Ozturk, Bola; Tait, Antalyali; Kilinc, Ntcham, Holse; Mouandilmadji
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Topcu, Hojer; Shelvey, Olawoyin; Keser, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Gaich
We say: Samsunspor 1-0 Caykur Rizespor
The home side has been playing with resilience recently, while their opponents have struggled in their recent matches. Samsunspor has a strong record at home, and this should serve them well against a Rizespor side that has been disappointing on the road.
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