The Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium braces for a clash of contrasts as the relegation-threatened hosts, Samsunspor, welcome in-form Sivasspor on Sunday.

While the Red Lightnings desperately cling to hopes of survival, the Braves are looking to fuel their ambitions of European football.

Match preview

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Samsunspor fell to a 2-1 defeat against Trabzonspor at Papara Park when the teams went head to head on Thursday.

Markus Gisdol's men went into the interval down by two following strikes from Filip Benkovic and Paul Onuachu, but they managed to pull one back from the spot late on through Taylan Antalyali in second-half stoppage time.

Consequently, the Red Lightnings remained 17th in the Turkish Super Lig table with 18 points, two points from safety.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who they have not beaten since 2006, losing three times to them along with two draws across the first and second division since then.

However, having lost just one of their last seven matches on home turf, Sunday's hosts will be confident of picking up another positive result in front of their fans.

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Sivasspor secured a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw against Galatasaray last time out, making it three consecutive matches without defeat for the Braves.

Kerem Demirbay put Gala ahead in first-half stoppage time but Bengali-Fode Koita restored parity for the Sivas-based side from the spot with four minutes left to play in normal time.

Bulent Uygun's men have endured a rollercoaster ride so far, never moving comfortably clear of the relegation zone, but a run of three wins and a draw from their last five matches has seen them rise to 10th place in the standings.

With 16 of their 25 points won on the road this season, the Braves have enjoyed their travels more than their home fixtures, and they will be looking to win consecutive away games for just the second time in this campaign after a 3-1 victory over Kayserispor on their last trip.

Team News

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The home side might be unable to call upon Gaetan Laura, as he remains a doubt due to a muscle injury that has kept him out since November.

Nanu, Olivier Ntcham and Kingsley Schindler are away on international duty, all representing their various countries at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Antalyali and Youssef Ait Bennasser are expected to retain their spots in the middle of the park, while Marius Mouandilmadji starts in attack.

Sivasspor also have two players away on international duty, with both Ahmed Musa and Clinton N'Jie bound for the AFCON.

Centre-forward Rey Manaj should be back in the starting lineup after serving a one-match ban that kept him out of the draw with Galatasaray.

Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Tan, Satka, Ozturk, Gonul; Ait Bennasser, Antalyali; Holse, Kilinc, Gumuskaya; Mouandilmadji

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Varal; Okumus, Osmanpasa, Camara, Ciftci; Arslan, Charisis; Koita, Saiz, Barrow; Manaj

We say: Samsunspor 1-2 Sivasspor

Samsunspor are fighting for survival and have been solid at home which will see them put up a good fight, but Sivasspor have been great on the road and have a good record against Sunday's opponents. We are predicting a tough match but the visitors could edge it at the end.


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