Istanbulspor will try to avoid an eighth consecutive league defeat when they play host to Kasimpasa on Wednesday.
The home are currently seven points adrift of Kasimpasa, who sit just outside the Super Lig relegation zone after failing to win any of their last six league games.
Match preview
Istanbulspor returned to competitive action last week with a 3-1 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup, leaving them to focus solely on their battle to remain in the top flight.
They had lost six consecutive league games before the World Cup break, and that run extended to seven matches when they were beaten 2-1 by Galatasaray on Sunday.
Bafetimbi Gomis scored a first-half brace to give Galatasaray a two-goal advantage, and although Mehmet Yesil halved the deficit in the 82nd minute, it was too little too late for Istanbulspor.
Having failed to win a league game since October 3, Istanbulspor face an uphill task if they are to avoid relegation, with seven points separating them from safety.
After drawing one and losing five of their six home encounters in the Super Lig this season, they will be targeting their first home league win on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Kasimpasa are currently sat just one point clear of the relegation zone, and they will also be looking to end a run of poor form.
Since returning from the World Cup break, Kasimpasa have lost consecutive games by a 2-1 scoreline after a Turkish Cup defeat to Umraniyespor was followed by another poor result against Sivasspor on Sunday.
Mortadha Ben Ouannes cancelled out Dia Saba's opener, but Kasimpasa could not find a second equaliser when Max Gradel scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 65th minute.
The defeat to Sivasspor extended Kasimpasa's winless run to six matches in the Super Lig, and it was also the seventh straight league game where they failed to score more than one goal.
Although they may be the lowest scorers in the division, the visitors can at least draw inspiration from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last four away league games.
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
Team News
Istanbulspor are expected to be without the services of Eslem Ozturk, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Yesil came off the bench to score late on in the defeat to Galatasaray, and the defender could be brought into the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest.
Tekke is expected to keep faith with Ibrahim Yilmaz, who will be looking to open his account for the season when he leads the line against Kasimpasa.
As for the visitors, Selcuk Inan could decide to name an unchanged back four despite conceding two goals against Sivasspor, with Jeffrey Bruma set to continue his central defensive partnership alongside Daniel Graovac.
After scoring his first goal of the second at the weekend, Ben Ouanes will keep his place on the left wing, while Mamadou Fall will operate on the opposite flank.
Stephane Bahoken could come into the side to lead the line against Istanbulspor, and the forward will be aiming to add to the three goals that he has scored this season.
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Duhaney, Yesil, Erdogan, Aksu; Topalli, Sarikaya, Kabasakal, Rroca, Ethemi; Yilmaz
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Hadergjonaj, Bruma, Graovac, Petretta; Kara, Tirpan; Fall, Hajradinovic, Ben Ouanes; Bahoken
We say: Istanbulspor 1-2 Kasimpasa
Although Kasimpasa are winless in their last six league games, they are unbeaten in their previous four away matches, and we think that they will claim a narrow victory over an Istanbulspor side who have lost their last seven games in the Super Lig.
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
