Turkish Super Lig leaders Trabzonspor remain unbeaten after the first 15 games of this season, and they are looking to extend that run on Saturday, when they travel to Antalyaspor, who currently sit 15th.
Trabzonspor have managed to open up a 12-point gap between themselves and second-placed Konyaspor, while this weekend's hosts are just four points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
Antalyaspor have not been in a bad run of form since the end of October, winning five out of their seven matches across all competitions, but they did fall to their seventh defeat of the league season last time out.
Kayserispor were below Alfons Groenendijk's side in the table prior to their meeting on Sunday, but an early brace from Mame Thiam was enough to sink Antalyaspor, despite playing against 10 players for the majority of the match.
With their extra man advantage, Antalyaspor did dominate possession but they failed to convert any of their chances, while Kayserispor scored with their only two strikes on goal.
Antalyaspor's home form is better than their away record this season, but this weekend they come up against the best in-form team in Turkey, and Trabzonspor will not be fazed by any home stats supporting Saturday's hosts.
Abdullah Avci's side are going from strength to strength this campaign, and have now kept three consecutive clean sheets, having beaten Adana Demirspor 2-0 last weekend.
Anthony Nwakaeme and Marek Hamsik were on target in that game, which was Trabzonspor's eighth straight win in the division, closing in on Besiktas' record of 13 consecutive wins.
Perhaps it is too early in the season to start thinking about equalling the unbeaten record, set by both Galatasaray and Besiktas many years ago, but with the way Trabzonspor are going they show no signs of stopping in their charge for the title.
Avci's side are not only the top goalscorers in the division so far, but they have also conceded the least amount of goals, which gives them a better goal difference by 10 to second spot, only adding to their already big points gap.
Trabzonspor have scored six penalty goals in their opening 15 matches, more than any other team in the division, suggesting that Antalyaspor will need to be disciplined particularly in their own 18-yard box to avoid gifting the away side golden opportunities to score.
Saturday's visitors did get the better of Antalyaspor the last time these two teams met in May, when Nwakaeme and Abdulkadir Omur secured a 2-1 victory for Trabzonspor at Medical Park Stadyumu.
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Team News
Enzo Crivelli and Harun Alpsoy are closing in on their return to action, while Dogukan Nelik and Ufuk Akyol are suffering from longer-term injuries, with none of the four able to feature for Antalyaspor on Saturday.
Bahadir Ozturk came into the starting 11 in place of Naldo last time out, but the latter is expected to return in the heart of Antalyaspor's back three.
Striker Paul Mukairu has netted three goals in his last four appearances, and he will be looking to continue that form with Amilton and Dogukan Sinik in an attacking midfield duo behind the lone striker.
Trabzonspor will continue to be without Djaniny, Gervinho and goalkeeper Erce Kardesler as the trio are all sidelined due to injury, with Andreas Cornelius also a doubt after being forced off the pitch in the 13th minute last time out.
Hamsik would have been delighted to find the back of the net against Adana Demirspor, as that was his first goal since the opening day and the midfielder will want to add more goals to his tally.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Boffin; Sari, Naldo, Kudryashov; Vural, Fredy, Poli, Balci; Sinik, Amilton; Mukairu
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Denswil, Hugo, Ie, Tokoz; Ozdemir, Siopis; Nwakaeme, Hamsik, Omur; Koita
We say: Antalyaspor 0-2 Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor will see this game as another good opportunity to continue their winning streak, playing against a side towards the relegation zone and entering this game on the back of a defeat.
The visitors have been strong defensively in their last few games also, which is why they are likely to keep another clean sheet on Saturday.
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