Samsunspor host Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium on Saturday, looking to pick up three consecutive wins across all competitions.
The hosts are at the rear end of the table despite their recent upturn in fortune, while the visitors sit in seventh and are five points off the top four.
Match preview
Samsunspor picked up a 3-0 win over Tokat Belediye Plevne Spor on Tuesday in the fourth round of the Turkish Cup.
Prior to that, the Red Lightning were victorious in their last Super Lig outing having edged Adana Demirspor 3-2 for their first triumph on the road this season, courtesy of goals from Olivier Ntcham, Carlo Holse and Marius Mouandilmadji.
After consecutive wins over Hatayspor and Istanbulspor in November, Markus Gisdol's men will be looking to secure back-to-back Super Lig victories for the second time this season.
Samsunspor are 18th in the Super Lig table with 11 points after three wins, two draws and nine losses, level on points with 19th-placed Alanyaspor.
The hosts have won only two of their six home matches this season, but they will have some belief going into Saturday's clash following last season's triumph on home turf against the visitors.
Kasimpasa also recorded a 4-1 victory over Kirsehir on Wednesday in the Turkish Cup to advance into the next round.
Last time out in the Super Lig, the Apaches put an end to their run of three defeats with a 4-2 win over Gaziantep.
Following last weekend's success, Kemal Ozdes's men are currently seventh in the Super Lig standings, level on 21 points with eighth-placed Caykur Rizespor after 14 matches.
Ozdes will hope his men can retain their scoring boots on Saturday after netting four goals in their last two matches across all competitions.
While Kasimpasa have found joy at home again, their recent away results are a concern, having lost their last two games on the road.
Team News
Samsunspor continue to deal with a long injury list, as Gaetan Laura, Flavien Tait, Youssef Ait Bennasser, Zeki Yavru and Yunus Emre Cift are all set to remain confined to the treatment room this weekend.
Mouandilmadji should keep his spot in attack after finding the net against Adana, while former Celtic and Swansea City man Ntcham continues in his supporting role behind the striker.
Holse and Taylan Antalyali should continue their partnership in the middle of the pack, while Lubomir Satka and Alim Ozturk start in the middle of the back four.
Kasimpasa, on the other hand, will be without the partnership of Kenneth Omeruo and Sadik Ciftpinar in the middle of defence after the former received his marching orders against Gaziantep while the latter has reached the limit for cautions.
In their absence, Duhan Aksu and Taylan Utku Aydin could start as the centre-back partnership on Saturday.
Mortadha Ben Ouanes and Mamadou Fall are expected to start from both flanks after bagging goals against Gaziantep, while Julien Ngoy retains his place in the centre of the attack.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Tirpan, Satka, Ozturk, Gonul; Antalyali, Holse; Ntcham, Gumuskaya, Kilinc; Mouandilmadji
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Winck, Aksu, Aydin, Ozcan; Saddiki, Kara; Ouanes, Hajradinovic, Fall; Ngoy
We say: Samsunspor 1-1 Kasimpasa
Samsunspor looks like a team that have found their groove back in recent games and they could cause Kasimpasa some problems this weekend.
The visitors have struggled on their recent trips and this could play a part in the final result on Saturday.
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