Kasimpasa begin life under new manager Hakan Keles when they travel to Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig this weekend.
The Istanbul side agreed to mutually part ways with former boss Sami Ugurlu earlier this month, with the 46-year-old swiftly moving on to join Alanyaspor.
Match preview
© Imago
The decision to change manager was a surprise, given Kasimpasa finished last season in fifth place, which was the joint-highest league finish in the club's history.
Although they have failed to maintain that level this season, the biggest positive at the club is their away form, with all three of their wins this year coming on the road.
Unfortunately for the visitors, their excellent form away from home is compensating for one of the worst home records in the division, with Kasimpasa yet to win on their own turf this campaign.
They will hope that Keles can continue the good away run this weekend against Sivasspor, before getting to work on fixing their miserable record at home next month.
This fixture will be of further significance to Keles, as he started his managerial career with Sivasspor in 2018, before other spells in Turkey with Giresunspor and Konyaspor.
© Imago
Meanwhile, the hosts will look to put their most recent performance behind them, having lost 4-0 away to Fenerbahce before the international break.
Prior to their defeat to Jose Mourinho's side, Sivasspor had appeared to turn a corner in their season, with three wins in a row in the league.
After starting the season with two wins from their opening eight fixtures, the three consecutive wins were a welcome sight for Bulent Uygun's team.
One of the reasons behind Sivasspor's consistency issues could be their lack of discipline – with the Braves picking up 32 bookings and three red cards, making them the most carded side in the league this season.
Despite having plenty of room for improvement, the hosts are still seventh in the standings, the same position they finished last season in.
Therefore, if Sivasspor can string another run of wins together, then they can start looking towards potentially qualifying for Europe through the league this season.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts will be missing some key attacking players, with Keita Balde suspended and top scorer Rey Manaj out until December with a hamstring injury.
Additionally, Mehmet Albayrak is unlikely to feature again this season following a cruciate ligament tear, while youngster Erdem Gulec is also out with a broken tibia.
On a more positive note, midfielders Alex Pritchard and Emre Gokay could be fit enough to return for the hosts after being sidelined recently.
Kasimpasa, on the other hand, will be without their captain Kenneth Omeruo until the new year due to a ligament injury.
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Nikolic; Turgunboev, Poungouras, Radakovic, Sonko Sundberg, Paluli; Mendes Rodrigues, Charisis, Moutoussamy, Bassan; Koita
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Rodrigues, Ozcan, Ciftpinar, Winck; Ouanes, Barak, Sadiku, Hajradinovic, Fall; Breaklo
We say: Sivasspor 1-1 Kasimpasa
The visitors are unbeaten away from home so far this season, with even Galatasaray being held to a 3-3 draw with them earlier in the season.
Although Sivasspor have matched expectations so far this season, we think Kasimpasa will begin the Keles era with a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
