Istanbul Basaksehir will be looking to claim their fifth successive Super Lig victory when they host Sivasspor on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides head into this encounter after drawing each of the last five meetings against each other, including two successive 1-1 draws at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Match preview
After a dreadful start to the 2021-22 campaign, losing five of their opening six league matches, Istanbul Basaksehir have since turned their fortunes around in dramatic fashion, winning five of their last six games, including each of the last four.
Head coach Emre Belozoglu has had an instant impact with his new side since replacing Aykut Kocaman at the beginning of October. Basaksehir's impressive form under his management has seen them climb from 15th to ninth in the Super Lig table, just three points behind the top four.
Winning has not been a problem in recent weeks for the Gray Owls, though they have conceded in each of their last six league matches, so Belozoglu will be hoping they can shore things up at the back to help maintain their strong run of form.
Basaksehir head into Saturday's encounter having won each of their last four matches on home soil, however they have failed to win any of their last five home meetings against Sivasspor, drawing four times in the process.
Sivasspor can now be considered the draw specialists in the Super Lig this campaign, having already played out seven draws from their 12 league matches.
A stalemate at home against Giresunspor in their most recent game before the international break was their fourth in succession and extended their winless league run to five matches.
Riza Calimbay has made his side tough to beat, however, with only two victories so far this season, the Braves are placed just three points above the relegation zone.
Calimbay is now tasked with turning solitary points into three, but his side may find that difficult in the coming weeks as they are to face a challenging run of fixtures against four teams currently sitting in the top half of the table, including Saturday's opponents Istanbul Basaksehir.
With games against Hatayaspor, Alanyaspor and Galatasaray to come, this weekend's clash with Basaksehir could be considered their most favourable fixture on paper, as Sivasspor are unbeaten in each of their last 10 meetings against them, including eight draws.
Securing a victory at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium could see Sivasspor climb as high as 11th in the table, one place and two points behind Basaksehir.
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Team News
Basaksehir centre-back Alexandru Epureanu is ruled out with a muscle injury, while fellow defenders Ravil Tagir and Junior Caicara are doubtful with respective back and calf problems.
In Epureanu's absence, Leo Duarte is set to continue in the heart of the defence alongside Youssouf Ndayishimiye, while wingers Edin Visca and Nacer Chadli are expected to support striker Stefano Okaka in attack.
As for Sivasspor, they will be without left-back Ugur Ciftci and striker Mustapha Yatabare, who will both serve one-match suspensions.
Defenders Aaron Appindangoye and Koray Altinay are also unavailable for the visitors, as they are suffering with respective Achilles and knee injuries.
Former Leeds United and Bournemouth winger Max Gradel is set to start in a central role in behind lone striker Leke James, who will likely replace Yatabare in the first XI.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Sahiner, Duarte, Ndayishimiye, Kaldirim; Cigerci; Visca, Ozcan, Tekdemir, Chadli; Okaka
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Vural; Yesilyurt, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Erdal; Arslan, Fajr; Kayode, Gradel, Henrique; James
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Sivasspor
Sivasspor have a decent record against Istanbul Basaksehir, which will give them confidence of claiming at least a point away from home this weekend, though three points is what they really need to avoid slipping into the relegation zone.
However, Basaksehir are in fine form at present and we can see them breaching the visitors' backline and securing a narrow victory on home soil.
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