European challengers Adana Demirspor welcome Antalyaspor to the Yeni Adana Stadyumu for a Super Lig clash on Saturday.

There were wildly differing results for the two sides last weekend though, making this an even more interesting fixture.

Match preview

Despite their recent setback of losing heavily at Trabzonspor, Adana Demirspor will still be dreaming of a first ever European campaign next season, with a spot still within reach.

Being unable to maintain enough consistency will restrict their ability to break into the top three though, as they currently sit four points off the guaranteed European spots.

Therefore, Vincenzo Montella's side may have to hope one of Galatasaray or Fenerbahce win the Turkish Cup, as that will open up fourth spot, which they currently occupy, to UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.

Even then though, they are under pressure from Trabzonspor and Istanbul Basaksehir behind them, with the latter still having a game in hand.

The inconsistency is clear, as their last eight matches have produced varying results such as dropping points against Umraniyespor and 10-man Giresunspor before being thrashed by Trabzonspor last time out, but they have beaten Istanbulspor 6-0 and held Fenerbahce in that time too.

This fixture has been a joyous one recently though, as Demirspor won 3-0 in the reverse earlier this season and are still unbeaten in three meetings since the two sides came up.

Antalyaspor are another side suffering from a lack of consistency, but any points at this stage will be welcome as they look to distance themselves from trouble.

Three wins, three draws and three losses from their last nine league games sums up Antalyaspor's season.

They are lingering in mid-table but are still far from safe, as the relegation battle in the Super Lig has become increasingly tight since the new year.

With Gaziantep and Hatayspor having to pull out of the league, 14th place will now be the final relegation spot, and even though Antalyaspor are 10th, they are just three points above the new dotted line.

That is in part due to their struggles on the road, as only Alanyaspor have collected fewer points than their eight from a possible 33 so far this season.

They should bring some confidence into this clash given that they drew away at Besiktas recently and hammered Kayserispor 4-0 last weekend though.

Team News

Adana Demirspor will be without playmaker Younes Belhanda after he was sent off in the first half of their defeat to Trabzonspor.

Fredrik Gulbrandsen returned from injury last weekend and could be Belhanda's replacement in the side.

There are no injury concerns for the side as Montella has a fully fit squad to pick from, but Badou Ndiaye is one booking away from a suspension.

Antalyaspor are also without an influential midfielder, as Fernando will miss this one after picking up his eighth booking of the season in the win over Kayserispor.

New signing Erdal Rakip could make a fourth start since his arrival from Malmo in January in place of the Brazilian.

There are two injury worries too, with Russian defender Fedor Kudryashov still out but edging closer to a return, while youngster Mustafa Erdilman is a confirmed absentee.

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Svensson, Cetin, Guler, Kevin Rodrigues; Y Sari, Stambouli, B Ndiaye, Akintola; Gulbrandsen, Akbaba

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Helton Leite; Balci, V Sari, Uzunhan; Vural; Akyol, Rakip, Ndao, Fredy, Larsson; Wright

We say: Adana Demirspor 2-0 Antalyaspor

An early red card was a blow that Adana Demirspor could not deal with last week, and if they keep 11 men on the pitch here, they should fare better and win.

Antalyaspor's dreadful away record makes any surprising result here seem unlikely, but they did take a point away at Besiktas recently.


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