Giresunspor will continue their search for a first victory of the season when they travel west to face fellow strugglers Goztepe SK in a relegation showdown on Saturday afternoon.

The pair currently occupy two of the four relegation spots in the Turkish Super Lig and will both be desperate for the three points to aid their survival hopes.

Match preview

Following promotion as runners-up from the 1.Lig last season, an immediate return to the second tier looks likely for Giresunspor, who have managed just two points from their first seven matches this term.

Starting the campaign with four consecutive defeats, Giresunspor sat rock-bottom of the Super Lig, before picking up their first point of the season in a goalless draw with Konyaspor.

Defeat to record Turkish champions Fenerbahce was followed up by another point against Kayserispor, a match that saw Hakan Keles's side score their first home goal of the season.

Fousseni Diabate was on target in the first half to equalise for Giresunspor, who were then unable to capitalise and had to settle for a second draw in three matches.

Only Caykur Rizespor, who themselves are winless after seven matches, sit below them in the table, with a gap starting to open up between them and the teams directly above in the table.

One of those sides also struggling for early-season points are Goztepe, who too sit inside the relegation zone having won only one match all season.

Having enjoyed their highest Super Lig finish since 2001-02 last campaign, Nestor El Maestro's team have struggled at times this year, enjoying their only victory so far against Istanbul Basaksehir.

A league winner with Slovakian side Spartak Trnava in 2017, El Maestro has since gone on to manage CSKA Sofia and Sturm Graz, before taking over at Goztepe earlier this month.

Into their fifth season as a top-flight club, Goztepe are another side threatened by the prospect of relegation and the Goz Goz will be confident of getting their season back on track when they welcome an out-of-sorts Giresunspor.

Despite never facing each other in the top tier, Goztepe did win their last meeting with Giresunspor in 2017, triumphing 2-1 over Cotanaklar when the two were playing their football in the second tier.

However, it has not all been plain sailing for Goz Goz in their previous head to heads, with Giresunspor unbeaten in four of their last five encounters, including an impressive run of three consecutive wins.

Do not rule out a red card in this fixture either, as both sides have seen their fair share of dismissals in recent meetings, with five sending-offs in their last four matches.

A victory for Giresunspor would take them level on points with Goztepe and strengthen their slim hopes of retaining their place in the Super Lig.

Team News

Beykan Simsek was given his marching orders in Goztepe's recent 2-0 defeat to Hatayspor and the winger will serve the second match of his suspension when Giresunspor visit the Gursel Aksel Stadyumu.

Murat Paluli has not featured for Goztepe in their last three Turkish Super Lig matches and the right-back is likely to be absent once again.

Marko Mihojevic enjoyed a fairly successful campaign with the hosts last year, yet has been unfortunate with injuries this season and whilst a return is imminent for the Bosnian defender, it is unlikely to come against Giresunspor.

If Giresunspor are to pull off a survival miracle, they will need to avoid any serious injuries and Keles's side should travel to Izmir with a full squad available.

Diabate spent last season on loan at Goztepe where the 25-year-old scored three goals in 18 appearances and he will no doubt be looking for a goal against his former club when he lines up for Giresunspor this weekend.

Souleymane Doukara netted in Giresunspor's recent defeat to Fenerbahce and the former Leeds United man will lead the line for Cotanaklar once again.

Alexis Perez has started every match for the division's second-bottom club and the Colombian defender will feature for a Giresunspor side on the lookout for their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Egribayat; Alici, Arslanagic, Angel, Emir; Nwobodo, Aydogdu; Kayan, Akbunar, Lourency; Ndiaye

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Diarra, Perez, Behich; Traore, Suleymanov, Flavio; Serginho, Doukara, Diabate

We say: Goztepe SK 2-1 Giresunspor

Two teams desperate for three points, this one is likely to be a scrappy affair with neither side able to dominate.

With little to separate the two in terms of league positions, Giresunspor may boast a better head-to-head record, yet Goztepe have the experience of surviving in the Super Lig, making them the likely winners.

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