Kayserispor are looking to bounce back after turning in a string of poor performances before the international break and end their three-game winless streak as they take on Rizespor at RHG Enerturk Enerji Stadyumu on Saturday.
Caykur Rizespor have also been on an up-and-down run in recent weeks prior to the international break, including a painful 5-0 defeat to Fenerbahce before returning to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Samsunspor.
Match preview
Kayserispor are currently 10th in the table with 10 points after eight games and have only two wins under their belt, with the last victory coming over a month ago.
In their last match before the international break, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ankaragucu, conceding all three goals in the second half.
Recep Ucar's team are still winless away from home this season, drawing three times and losing the other two games. Defensive performance is one of the main reasons for the poor away record, as Kayserispor did not keep a clean sheet in any of those five games.
The defensive deficiencies are compounded by the fact that the hosts failed to score a single goal in their last two games against Ankaragucu and Istanbul Basaksehir.
The team's home performances have been far more encouraging for Kayserispor supporters, however, as they remain unbeaten in the Super Lig this season at RHG Enerturk Enerji Stadyumu – a 2-1 win over Samsunspor and a 2-0 win over Gaziantep, as well as two goalless draws against Galatasaray and Basaksehir.
Rizespor, on the other hand, go into this game with a narrow 1-0 win over Samsunspor just under two weeks ago, despite having to play with 10 men for over an hour after Mithat Pala was sent off in the opening 15 minutes of the first half.
It was a moment of redemption for themselves and the club's fans after suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Fenerbahce a week earlier, conceding four of the five goals in the second half.
The club's away record has been mixed so far this Super Lig season, with two wins against Trabzonspor and Konyaspor followed by a miserable showing against Fenerbahce.
With a win and favourable results in the other games, Rizespor could even climb into the top four, as they are currently just two points behind fourth-placed Besiktas.
Team News
The home team will have to do without striker Miguel Cardoso, who is still recovering from a sprained ankle and is expected to be ready for action in early November.
His place in the starting XI will likely be taken by Ramazan Civelek or Carlos Mane, neither of whom have been particularly impressive in front of goal this season, sharing just one goal apiece.
Central defender Julian Jeanvier suffered an injury in the last match before the international break against Ankaragucu and is still questionable for Saturday's match. Greek international Dimitris Kolovetsios could take his place if Jeanvier's injury is too serious.
Rizespor have an important absentee, as central midfielder Pala will be missing from Saturday's match due to suspension.
It may be that Ibrahim Olawoyin will be used to partner Jonjo Shelvey in central midfield, but Pala's absence will weigh heavily in any case.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Uzodimma, Attamah, Dimitris Kolovetsios, Carole; Yilmaz, Kemen, Civelek, Mane, Boa Morte; Thiam
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Korkmaz, Mocsi, Topcu, Pehlivan; Olawoyin, Shelvey, Sauer, Varesanovic, Keser; Minchev
We say: Kayserispor 1-1 Caykur Rizespor
Kayserispor's recent poor form is a major concern for head coach Ucar, but the fact that his team are still unbeaten at home this season gives him confidence for this match.
The two teams are not far apart in terms of quality, so the game can go either way given their current form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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