Wednesday night will witness a battle of the Falcons and the Anatolian Eagles, as Gaziantep welcome relegation-threatened Konyaspor to Kalyon Stadyumu for a Turkish Super Lig clash.

The hosts secured a well-earned point at Sivasspor last time out, while Konyaspor were forced to share the spoils at home with Antalyaspor.

Match preview

Gaziantep have now drawn four of their last six Super Lig contests after sharing the points with Sivasspor in a four-goal thriller at the BG Group 4 Stadyumu on Sunday afternoon, when a pair of Rey Manaj penalties handed the hosts a two-goal advantage, but the visitors were able to produce a comeback.

Leading the line with energy once again, Romanian striker Denis Dragus bagged his eighth of the league term to draw the Falcons closer to parity, before centre-back Papy Djilobodji scored his maiden strike of the campaign to bring the contest level, which is how it stayed throughout a goalless second period.

One victory from the last nine Super Lig matches means that Marius Sumudica's men have failed to move significantly away from danger during the middle part of the season, with Wednesday's hosts currently occupying 14th position in the league standings, just a point ahead of 17th-placed Hatayspor.

The Eagles have hardly been great entertainers in front of their home supporters this term, winning only three of their 10 league games at Kaylon Stadyumu and netting just 11 goals in the process, with only whipping boys Istanbulspor (nine) managing to score fewer times in their respective home matches.

Although eight-goal forward Dragus has netted six more times than any of his teammates, Gaziantep also boast the attacking talents of ex-Liverpool youngster Lazar Markovic in their ranks, with the 29-year-old providing six goal contributions in 18 Super Lig appearances.

After a humiliating 7-1 drubbing at the hands of league leaders Fenerbahce on January 10, Super Lig strugglers Konyaspor have managed to steady the ship slightly, going unbeaten during their last three matches across all competitions, including a 1-1 draw with Antalyaspor on Sunday.

Stoke City favourite Steven Nzonzi put the Anatolian Eagles ahead just before the half-time interval with a powerful header from a corner, but the relegation-threatened hosts were unable to hold on for a much-needed maximum, with Pole Adam Buksa scoring his ninth of the term to level proceedings.

Following remarkable finishes of third and eighth in the Super Lig during the previous two campaigns, Konyaspor are now facing their first relegation battle since the 2017-2018 season, currently lying in the bottom four of the league table, one point behind Fatih Karagumruk in the relative safety of 16th.

Fahrudin Omerovic was appointed as manager earlier this month in an attempt to preserve the Anatolian Eagles' first-tier status, and the former Fenerbahce assistant has the immediate task of improving his side's woeful away form, with Wednesday's visitors picking up one point and conceding 10 points during their last three Super Lig outings.

After a season-long loan at Saudi Pro League club Al Khaleej last term, striker Sokol Cikalleshi is back in the Turkish top flight and among the goalscoring action, with the Albania international making the net ripple on eight occasions in 17 league appearances for Konyaspor.

Team News

Gaziantep will be without the creative forces of former Bournemouth man Max-Alain Gradel on Wednesday night, with the Ivorian representing his country at a home Africa Cup of Nations.

While Gradel has been limited to a substitute role with his nation, Janio Bikel has started both of Guinea-Bissau's matches at AFCON, but their progression into the knockout stages appears unlikely following back-to-back defeats.

Alexandru Maxim received his marching orders during the draw at Sivasspor last time out, meaning the midfielder will be suspended for the visit of the Anatolian Eagles.

Konyaspor have waved goodbye to Bruno Paz as he battles for Angola at this month's AFCON, although the 25-year-old had not started a Super Lig match since September before flying off to international duty.

Muhammet Demir will be unable to feature against his former employers on Wednesday, with the striker continuing to recover from a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained in April of last year.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Eskihellac, Ersoy, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, M'Bakata; Sorescu, Acosta, Ozcicek, Soyalp; Dragus

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Ertas; Oguz, Mert, Yazgili, Guilherme; Prip, Dikmen, Nzonzi, Malli, Ulgun; Cikalleshi

We say: Gaziantep 2-1 Konyaspor

Gaziantep have been very competitive in all of their matches recently and will be confident of securing maximum points against Konyaspor on Wednesday.

The Anatolian Eagles have failed to address their worrying away record in the past few weeks, so we expect that their troubles on the road will continue in this one.


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