Still in the wake of the tragic passing of defender Ahmet Calik, Konyaspor will search for a second consecutive league win on Sunday, when they travel to take on Altay.
In the first game following the loss of the 27-year-old, the visitors defeated Adana Demirspor 1-0 to strengthen their position in second spot in the Turkish Super Lig table, while the hosts are rooted to the foot of the division after seven straight league defeats.
Match preview
Following their climb to the Turkish Super Lig last season, Altay have had to endure a difficult campaign, earning just 18 points from their 22 league outings and picking up five victories.
As a result, Buyuk Altay sit 19th in the top flight, and they head into Sunday in a run of seven consecutive defeats, with former boss Mustafa Denizli replaced by Mert Nobre after the fifth of those in January.
The change in manager has not triggered an upturn in form, though, as the Brazilian's first game at the helm ended in a 2-0 home defeat to fourth-placed Alanyaspor.
Their run was stretched to seven defeats last time out, as a trip to Fenerbahce resulted in a 2-1 loss despite Ahmed Yasser Rayan giving them an unlikely lead.
Given the two particularly tough games since his appointment, we are yet to fully see whether Nobre is up to the task of keeping Altay in the top flight this season, but with six points between themselves and safety, they are not blessed with time if they are to avoid relegation, and the new boss will know his side have to quickly change their fortunes, albeit with another clash against a top-four side looming.
Konyaspor arrive in the aftermath of a shocking event earlier in the month, as Turkey international Ahmet Calik tragically lost his life.
Prior to that, Ilhan Palut's side had established themselves in the league's top two, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Sivasspor on home turf.
In the first game following the passing, Anadolu Kartali galvanised to earn a 1-0 victory over Adana Demirspor thanks to Amar Rahmanovic's goal, and they will look to again honour their teammate with another victory on Sunday.
Boasting a game in hand on league leaders Trabzonspor, who sit nine points ahead, Konyaspor still have a viable claim for an unlikely title win this season, but they will know that there is almost no more room for error if they are to take the race deep into the season.
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
Team News
After a valiant effort against Fenerbahce last time out, Altay are unlikely to make wholesale changes for Sunday's game, with Thaciano, Ceyhun Gulselam and Cesar Pinares again expected to operate in the midfield in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Ahmed Yasser Rayan will continue to lead the line, having netted his fourth league goal of the season last time out.
His counterpart will be Egyptian compatriot Ahmed Hassan, who has netted three goals and provided two assists in the Turkish Super Lig for Konyaspor since arriving on loan from Olympiacos at the beginning of the season.
Amar Rahmanovic and Zymer Bytyqi are also key men in the attacking line, and the duo will support the front man on Sunday.
In a similar system to their hosts, Soner Dikmen and Amir Hadziahmetovic should again be trusted to shield a back four.
Altay possible starting lineup:
Lis; Unlu, Bjorkander, Akca, Karatas; Thaciano, Gulselam; Kappel, Pinares, Rodriguez; Rayan
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Skubic, Demirbag, Bardakci, Guilherme; Hadziahmetovic, Dikmen; Bytyqi, Rahmanovic, Michalak; Hassan
We say: Altay 0-2 Konyaspor
Given the displays of both sides this season, all the clues point to a relatively straightforward away win on Sunday.
Altay may come out fighting under their new manager, but Konyaspor have been formidable this season and will hope to do Calik proud with another hard-fought win.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
