Two sides just outside the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone will go head-to-head when Alanyaspor host Antalyaspor at Bahcesehir Okul Stadyumu on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are in 14th place with nine points after nine matches, while the visitors are one point and one spot below, having played the same number of matches.
Match preview
Alanyaspor have endured a poor start to the season, picking up just two wins from nine matches while losing five times and drawing two.
The team from Antalya Province failed to win any of their opening four games, losing and drawing two each, but things appeared to be improving as they drew with Hatayspor before claiming consecutive wins over Adana Demirspor and Rizespor.
However, Fatih Tekke's side have now lost their last two matches against Galatasaray and Kasimpasa, losing 2-1 to the latter in their most recent match, which ended a seven-match unbeaten home streak dating back to the previous season.
Kicking off another unbeaten streak at home starting from Sunday's clash with Antalyaspor will do the hosts a lot of good, as they are way off from the side that finished in eighth place last season.
However, Alanyaspor have failed to win the last three Super Lig encounters against the visitors, losing one and drawing two, though the last two meetings have been draws.
Antalyaspor are a far cry from the team that finished in 10th place last season, having won just two of their opening nine matches, while losing five and drawing two.
The Scorpions were outclassed in a 3-0 loss to Galatasaray last Saturday, extending their winless run to four matches, which has included a draw and three consecutive defeats.
Alex de Souza was appointed in May but has found it difficult to get the team to win games, as he currently has a 22.22% win rate after nine games in charge.
The former Fenerbahce midfielder will be hoping his side find a way to pick up three points on Sunday, but the Scorpions have not won any game on the road this season, losing three and drawing one of four away matches.
Team News
Furkan Bayir is the only absentee for Alanyaspor heading into this clash, with the 24-year-old defender nursing an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out until November.
Sergio Cordova has scored three of the home side's eight goals so far, making him the player to watch on Sunday.
Emrecan Uzunhan, who suffered a muscle injury in September, remains sidelined for Antalyaspor until next month, and the same goes for Bunyamin Balci, who is also out for the next few weeks with a finger injury.
They are joined on the treatment table by Bahadir Ozturk, who has an ankle issue that will see him sidelined until next month.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Balkovec, Aliti, Aksoy, Hadergjonaj; Makouta, Richard; Ozdemir, Karaca, Augusto; Cordova
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Piric; Yilmaz, Sari, Thalisson, Vural; Petrusenko, Rakip; Townsend, Larsson, van de Streek; Samudio
We say: Alanyaspor 1-1 Antalyaspor
Alanyaspor and Antalyaspor appear to be evenly matched in the current Super Lig season, as shown by the key metrics, and this is why we are expecting the clash to end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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