Caykur Rizespor will be looking to return to pick up from where they left off before the break when they travel to face Turkish Super Lig whipping boys Istanbulspor at the Bahcelievler Il Ozel Idare Stadium.
The hosts are condemned to the bottom of the league while the visitors are making a charge for the top four.
Match preview
Istanbulspor are rooted to the bottom of the Super Lig with a mere 13 points, a staggering 16 points behind the nearest team, as their two-year stay in the top flight seems to be nearing its end.
Osman Zeki Korkmaz's side have not won any of their last nine matches, drawing three and losing six, including a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Pendikspor before the international break.
Despite going down to 10 men with Modestas Vorobjovas' red card in the 75th minute, Istanbulspor looked like they might hold on for a point. However, their hopes were dashed in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Halil Akbunar scored the winner for Pendikspor.
Korkmaz will be hoping his side can salvage some pride and perhaps even achieve an unlikely survival in the remaining eight games. However, their next fixture offers little optimism, considering their dismal record against their opponents.
The Bulls have not beaten Tuesday's opposition in their last seven meetings, losing six and drawing once, with their last victory against them coming way back in 2003.
Rizespor, meanwhile, have seen their good first-half form (29 points) nosedive in the second half of the season.
However, they head into this match on the back of a 3-1 win over Gaziantep before the break, but that was only their second win in the last six games (L4).
It initially looked like another disappointing outing for Rizespor when Deian Sorescu put Gaziantep ahead in the 54th minute. However, Ilhan Palut's side got back into the game with an own goal by Salem M'Bakata 10 minutes later.
Ibrahim Olawoyin then gave them the lead with six minutes remaining before Altin Zeqiri sealed the victory in stoppage time.
This win keeps Rizespor four points behind Besiktas, who lost their last game, in the race for the final European qualification spot, but they are also just one point ahead of Antalyaspor in eighth.
However, their away form has been a major concern all season, as have picked up a mere nine points from a possible 42 on the road; Palut's men have only won two away games all season, both coming within their first three trips.
Since their 2-1 win at Konyaspor back in September, Rizespor are winless in 11 consecutive away games, drawing three and losing eight (including the last five).
Team News
Vorobjovas is the only absentee for Istanbulspor, as he serves a one-match suspension for his red card against Pendikspor last time out.
In his absence, Mehmet Yesil could step into midfield while Racine Coly takes his place in defence.
Emrehan Gedikli was not in the squad last time out, leaving Mendy Mamadou to lead the line, and this could be the case once again on Tuesday.
Rizespor will remain without the services of long-term absentees Janne-Pekka Laine and Benhur Keser, who are likely to miss the remainder of the season due to injuries.
In addition, midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu is set for an extended period on the treatment table with an ACL injury.
Casper Hojer Nielsen has a one-match suspension due to accumulated yellow cards, which could see Halil Ibrahim Pehlivan play from the start.
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Arda; Erdogan, Coly, Deli; Duhaney, Yasar, Yesil, Loshaj; Sambissa, Jackson; Mamadou
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Sahin, Alikulov, Topcu, Pehlivan; Sarikaya, Shelvey; Varesanovic, Olawoyin, Akintola; Minchev
We say: Istanbulspor 1-2 Caykur Rizespor
Istanbulspor have struggled all season while Rizespor have also found results hard to come by on the road. However, we think this is a great opportunity for the visitors to pick up their third victory on the road in this campaign.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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