The fight to avoid relegation intensifies as Gaziantep take on Hatayspor at Gaziantep Stadium on Sunday evening.
Both sides are embroiled in the relegation scrap, with the hosts two points adrift of safety and the visitors just one point behind them heading into the final four games of the season.
Match preview
Full size image here
Gaziantep surrendered a two-goal lead at half-time in their last outing, conceding four goals in the second half to lose 4-2 to Trabzonspor at Papara Park last Sunday.
Deian Sorescu opened the scoring in the 12th minute, followed by Denis Dragus who doubled the lead in the 21st minute. However, a hat-trick from Paul Onuachu and a goal from Enis Bardhi saw the Falcons slump to their 18th league defeat.
Senol Inan's men find themselves back in the relegation zone, sitting in 17th place with 34 points, two points from safety.
Gaziantep will be hoping to secure back-to-back home victories when they face Hatayspor on Sunday, having won their last home game against Kasimpasa. However, they boast the fourth-worst home record in the league this season.
Despite this, the Falcons have a decent historical record against Sunday's opposition at home, recording six wins, five draws and just two defeats in their last 13 home matches against Hatayspor.
Hatayspor suffered their fourth consecutive defeat last Saturday, falling 2-1 to Istanbul Basaksehir at the Mersin Stadyumu.
Volkan Demirel's side fell behind early on when Krzysztof Piatek found the net for Basaksehir. Olivier Kemen doubled the Grey Owls' lead in the 69th minute. Hatayspor pulled a goal back through Renat Dadasov in the 73rd minute, but couldn't find the equaliser.
With 33 points from 34 matches, the Stars of the South sit 18th in the league table, just three points from safety heading into the final four games of the season.
As they head into this crucial six-pointer against Gaziantep, Sunday's visitors will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive away defeat to boost their survival hopes.
Team News
Gaziantep could remain without Bryan Acosta, as he is yet to fully recover from a groin problem, while Ulas Zengin continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through a leg injury.
Alexandru Maxim is suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards while Marko Jevtovic is nursing a muscle injury.
Dragus has 12 goals from 29 matches and will likely spearhead the Falcons' attack in this clash.
The visitors have a full squad to select from, as no injuries or suspensions have been reported.
Carlos Strandberg should lead the line once again, while Chandrel Massanga plays in the holding midfield role in front of the defence.
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Ersoy, Kizildag, Djilobodji, M'Bakata; N'Koulou, Sorescu, Monteiro, Gradel, Eskihellac; Dragus
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Kardesler; Ghoulam, Maksimovic, Kilama, Corekci; Matondo, Beyaz, Dele-Bashiru; Fernandes, Rivas, Strandberg
We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Hatayspor
This is a relegation six-pointer, so we expect it to be a very close battle with both sides not letting the other off easily. We expect a game where both teams will find the net but will eventually end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
