Two sides still in search of their first win in the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season will lock horns this week, with Samsunspor taking on Istanbulspor at Samsun Yeni 19 Mayis Stadyumu on Sunday.
The hosts come into this match off the back of a 2-1 loss away to Kayserispor last weekend, while the visitors played out a 1-1 draw against the same opponent two weeks ago.
Match preview
Samsunspor won the TFF First League last season by a 10-point margin over Rizespor and, in doing so, they earned promotion back to the Super Lig after a 10-year wait.
However, their return to the top flight has not gone as smoothly as they would have hoped so far, as they have only managed a single point in their first three fixtures and are already set in the relegation zone.
Huseyin Eroglu's side picked up their only point to date against Sivasspor on opening weekend but were beaten 2-0 by high-flyers Fenerbahce the following week before losing to Kayserispor last weekend.
The hosts possessed the best home record in the lower division last season, with 13 wins in 18 matches, and they will hope to refind that type of form against the sides that are likely to feature in the bottom half of the table this season, such as their opponents in this one.
While the Red Lightning are expected to struggle to stay up this season, they would have had this fixture down as one that they will target to get a result in this season and will know that a win here will do wonders for their confidence.
Despite finishing in 12th place last season, Istanbulspor can be very proud of their performance last term as they successfully navigated their first season back in the top flight.
That is not to say that they did so comfortably, though, as they finished just one point above the drop zone and made it fairly difficult for themselves, losing three of their final five matches of the season.
Fatih Tekke's side went into the final day of the season below the dotted line in 17th place with 38 points but managed a clutch 4-0 win over already-relegated Umraniye, which sent Giresunspor down instead.
While they have drawn both matches this term, the Bulls will still be fairly pleased to have taken points off two sides that ended last season in the top half of the table, and it gives them a solid foundation to build on with a few winnable fixtures on the horizon.
- D
- D
Team News
Taylan Antalyali was withdrawn before the hour mark against Fenerbahce a couple of weeks ago, and it seems he will be out for a while, as reports suggest that he sustained a torn ankle ligament.
Bedirhan Cetin is the only other absentee for the hosts, as he has been called up to represent Turkey in the Euro 2024 qualifiers that resume next week.
Ali Yasar will be available for selection in this match after serving his one-match ban against Kayserispor, while Okan Erdogan will have to wait another two matches before he can return following his straight red in the same match.
Ibrahim Yilmaz has scored both the visitors goals this season and will almost certainly lead the line again, with Eduart Rroca occupying the number 10 role.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Satka, Ozturk, Van Drongelen; Schindler, Bennasser, Ntcham, Bola; Fofana, Kilinc; Mouandilmadji
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Duhaney, Coly, Yesil, Yasar; Loshaj, Ethemi, Santos, Ndao, Rroca; Yilmaz
We say: Samsunspor 1-1 Istanbulspor
This is a very close match on paper, though the hosts are the marginal favourites due to the home-ground advantage. We are not convinced that either of these sides will be able to secure the win here and fancy this one to end level at the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
