The Turkish Super Lig's midweek schedule throws up a fascinating contrast of ambitions on Wednesday as seventh-placed Adana Demirspor lock horns with relegation-threatened Istanbulspor at the New Adana Stadium.
Serkan Damla's Blue Lightnings chase European dreams, while Hakan Yakin's visitors desperately seek first-division survival.
Match preview
Adana Demirspor's topsy-turvy form continues, as a goalless draw against Istanbul Basaksehir last time out leaves them with just one win in their last eight matches, a 2-1 Christmas Eve victory over Antalyaspor remaining their only bright spot in recent weeks.
However, despite their recent slump, the Blue Lightnings remain in contention for a European spot, picking up 28 points from seven wins, seven draws and four defeats to keep them in seventh place, just one point behind Kayserispor in the race for the final European berth.
The Adana-based side have picked up just eight points from a possible 24 since the start of November, a tally they will hope to quickly improve on to keep pace with the teams occupying the European places.
Home, however, is where the heart is for Damla's men, amassing 22 of their 28 total points at the New Adana Stadium, ranking third in the league in home form behind only Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Their only home defeat in recent memory came within their last two matches, a shocking 3-2 loss to Samsunspor, a result they will be desperate to avoid repeating against Istanbulspor.
Historically, Adana have dominated this fixture, winning nine out of 14 meetings and the last four by an aggregate score of 13-2.
Meanwhile, Istanbulspor's woes continue to deepen, as they received a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of league leaders Fenerbahce last time out to mark their fourth consecutive defeat.
The Bulls have now conceded 10 goals while scoring just one since their win over Hatayspor in November as they remain at the bottom of the league with five points from 18 matches.
One of Istanbulspor's biggest Achilles' heels is their away form, having managed just one point in eight matches on the road, making them one of only two teams in the league yet to win away from home.
This Wednesday's clash against Adana offers little hope for a resurgence, considering their historically poor record against the Blue Lightnings.
Team News
Maro Balotelli is a doubt for the home side, nursing a knee injury, while Yusuf Sari is also unavailable due to a ligament issue, sidelined until March.
Papa Alioune Ndiaye is away on international duty with Senegal for the AFCON, ruling him out of this match.
Meanwhile, Eduart Rroca is Istanbulspor's only reported absentee, sidelined by a hamstring injury until January.
Yakin is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 formation that saw them fall to Fenerbahce, with Jackson, Valon Ethemi and Alassane Ndao as the front three.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Makhammadaliev; Erdogan, Guler, Cisse, Cokcalis; Michut, Stambouli; Akbaba, Sari, Akintola; Barasi
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Arda; Deli, Erdogan, Yesil, Yasar; Loshaj, Vorobjovas, Sarikaya; Ndao, Ethemi, Jackson
We say: Adana Demirspor 2-1 Istanbulspor
Adana Demirspor are strong favorites, fuelled by their home advantage and history over Istanbulspor. We expect a tight encounter but Demirspor should edge it after 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Cole
