Two sides battling at different ends of the Turkish Super Lig table lock horns on Saturday when Istanbul Basaksehir host Adana Demirspor at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Desperate to break free from the relegation struggle, the away side must face the formidable challenge of the continent-chasing hosts.
Match preview
Basaksehir return to Super Lig action on Saturday seeking to extend their unbeaten run in the competition to four matches.
The last time the home side was in action, they held on for a 1-1 draw against Trabzonspor, after Dimitrios Pelkas gave them the lead with their only shot on target before Batista Mendy restored parity for the Black Sea Storm.
Since replacing Emre Belozoglu with Cagdas Atan early in the season after the former oversaw five losses in the first six games, the Grey Owls have climbed to 13th in the league table with 19 points, two points above 17th-placed Konyaspor.
Having won three consecutive home matches in the league and four in a row in all competitions, Atan will hope his side can build on their solid home form when they welcome Adana Demirspor this weekend.
The Grey Owls have a good record against Saturday's visitors, losing just once in 14 meetings against them, while recording 10 wins and three draws.
Adana Demirspor won 2-1 against Antalyaspor last time out to end their six-match winless run in the Turkish Super Lig.
Babajide David Akintola and Emre Akbaba put the Blue Lightnings ahead in the first half, while Erdogan Yesilyurt pulled one back for Antalyaspor before Adam Buksa missed from the spot late on to complete the comeback.
With 27 points from seven wins, six draws and four defeats so far, Serkan Damla's side sit sixth in the standings but are just two points shy of Kayserispor in the race for the final European spot.
After successfully turning their fortunes around on Christmas Eve with a first triumph since the win over Konyaspor, the Blue Lightnings will look to win consecutive matches for the first time since October.
However, Demirspor are winless in eight consecutive matches on the road leading up to Saturday, and will be keen to turn their away form around for a first triumph on opposition territory since June.
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
Team News
The hosts will be without centre-back Jerome Opoku once again as he completes his three-match suspension after receiving a straight red in Basaksehir's win over Hatayspor.
Atan will also be without the injured Efe Arda Koyuncu, Muhammed Sengezer and Patryk Szysz, with the latter still missing because of a ligament layoff.
Adana Demirspor will remain without forward Mario Balotelli due to a knee injury, while defender Andrew Gravillon is also sidelined with a muscle issue that is expected to keep him out until January.
Twenty-year-old Yusuf Barasi started in attack against Antalyaspor and should lead the line once again, supported by Akintola, Akbaba and Yusuf Sari.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Dubois, Duarte, Ba, Lima; Ozcan; Abeid, Turuc, Pelkas, Figueiredo; Piatek
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Makhammadaliev; Erdogan, Guler, Cisse, Cokcalis; Michut, Stambouli; Akbaba, Sari, Akintola; Barasi
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Adana Demirspor
Basaksehir are enjoying a good spell and are looking untouchable at home at the moment. Demirspor might have ended their winless run last time out but they have not done enough to suggest that they can get anything from this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
