Hatayspor play host to Kasimpasa on Sunday with the opportunity to move ahead of their opponents in the Super Lig standings.
That is despite four positions separating the clubs, Hatayspor currently down in 17th and the visitors occupying 13th place.
Match preview
Before the World Cup break, Hatayspor looked like a team who would not find themselves involved in a relegation battle having won four times in seven matches.
However, since the resumption, it has been a different story with just one win and six points being recorded over the same amount of encounters.
Volkan Demirel's side are now in the relegation zone, although they will not be panicking at this stage with one win potentially taking Hatayspor as high as 12th or 13th position.
On a positive note, the Star of the South recently edged out champions Trabzonspor, but a capitulation versus Gaziantep FK earlier this week means that confidence has taken a dent.
Hatayspor have netted in just three of their last six fixtures, contributing to having scored the least amount of goals in the division.
In sharp contrast, Kasimpasa contributed as many times to the scoresheet in their last match than their upcoming opponents did over that aforementioned period.
After losing 5-1 at Fenerbahce, the Apaches prevailed by the same scoreline in their home fixture with 16th-placed Giresunspor.
While it was a beneficial result for Hatayspor, they now face a team high on confidence and who have scored in their last 12 outings in all competitions.
Nevertheless, Selcuk Inan's side have also conceded in their most recent dozen matches, a total of 13 goals being shipped in five contests.
Team News
Demirel will almost certainly make changes to his Hatayspor side with Kaan Kanak among those who could return at left-back.
Onur Ergun also seems likely to be recalled in central midfield, with Musa Cagiran potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Despite not scoring last time out, Bertug Yildirim should retain his spot down the middle of the attack ahead of Ze Luis.
Kasimpasa will be forced into at least one alteration due to Aytac Kara serving a one-match ban for four yellow cards.
Mickael Tirpan may switch to a central-midfield role to allow for Feyzi Yildirim to make his first start of the season after injury at right-back.
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Kardelser; Corekci, Bekaroglu, Yilmaz, Kanak; Ergun, Ribeiro; Lobzhanidze, Boudjemaa, Kaabi; Yildirim
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Yildirim, Serbest, Donk, Ozcan; Eysseric, Tirpan, Hajradinovic; Ouanes, Fall, Choular
We say: Hatayspor 1-1 Kasimpasa
Possessing the worst attack in the division, few people will expect much quality from Hatayspor in the final third on Sunday. Nevertheless, we feel that the home side may do enough to secure a point, keeping them in close proximity to numerous teams above them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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