Adana Demirspor could move into the top three of the Turkish Super Lig with a win against Istanbulspor at New Adana Stadium on Thursday.
The visitors are currently bottom of the league standings and will not be able to escape the relegation zone even if they secure an unlikely victory on their travels.
Match preview
Demirspor have managed to build on their ninth-placed Turkish Super Lig finish in the 2021-22 season, and they could push for the European places, considering that they are in fourth place.
Vincenzo Montella has made his side very difficult to beat, with the only two losses that they have suffered so far coming away from home, in trips to giants Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Over the last five matches, the Blue Lightnings' form has taken a bit of a dip, picking up just six points in that time period, although they have had tough games, taking on the likes of Kayserispor and Konyaspor, teams that are both in the top eight.
Last time out, Demirspor suffered a 1-0 defeat against Besiktas, with Arthur Masuaku's goal the only thing separating the two sides in a closely-fought encounter, with Montella's men having more shots in the second half, but failing to make their chances pay.
However, the Blue Lightnings have a great chance to get back to winning ways on Thursday, given that they have won four of their last five matches against their opponents.
Indeed, Istanbulspor have a poor recent record against the hosts, and they have also struggled considerably in the Turkish Super Lig this season, currently five points from safety.
A very poor defensive record is largely to blame for Bogalar only acquiring 11 points from their opening 15 games, as they have conceded 29 goals in that timeframe, just one goal shy of the average being two a game.
That is the second-highest amount of goals conceded in the division, and Fatih Tekke's side have kept just one clean sheet all season, dating back to a 1-0 win against Alanyaspor at the end of August.
If there is one slight positive for Istanbulspor to take into Thursday's game, it is that they have managed to win twice on the road so far, also defeating Karagumruk 2-1 back in October.
Bogalar had to wait until their last game of the year to get their maiden victory at home, but they picked up an important three points in their last match, defeating relegation-threatened Kasimpasa 2-1 courtesy of goals from Valon Ethemi and Emir Gultekin.
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Team News
Demirspor will have to make do without Samet Akaydin, who misses out through suspension, so Semih Guler and Abdurrahim Dursun are the likely choices at centre-back.
Younes Belhanda is the home side's top scorer so far this season with five goals, and he has also weighed in with three assists, so he is poised to play just behind Emre Akbaba in attack.
Eslem Ozturk is still out with an ACL injury, so will be unavailable for selection for Fatih Tekke's side, who will have to rely on the likes of Eduart Rroca and Muammer Sarikaya in central midfield.
The manager is likely to stick with the bulk of the squad that secured a first home win of the season in their last match, so Emir Gultekin and Valon Ethemi are poised to start on either wing.
Striker Jetmir Topalli has scored four league goals this term but he missed the last match through injury and is expected to miss out again, so Ibrahim Yilmaz may get the nod once more in attack.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Svensson, Dursun, Guler, Rodrigues; Gulbrandsen, Stambouli, Ndiaye, Onyekuru, Belhanda; Akbaba
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Dulhaney, Erdogan, Ologo, Aksu; Kabasakal, Gultekin, Rroca, Sarikaya, Ethemi; Yilmaz
We say: Adana Demirspor 2-0 Istanbulspor
Istanbulspor showed some promising signs in their last match, but winning away at the team in fourth place is likely to be a step too far for them, especially considering that they have lost four of the last matches involving the two teams.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
