Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season commences with a meeting between Alanyaspor and Pendikspor at the Bahcesehir Okullari Stadium on Saturday.
The sides head into this one off the back of contrasting results last time out, but the encounter promises to be keenly contested nonetheless.
Match preview
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Alanyaspor showed their never-dying spirit with a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against Hatayspor at the Mersin Stadyumu on Tuesday.
Having fallen behind to Rigoberto Rivas's early opener, Fatih Tekke's men kept pushing for an equaliser and finally restored parity in the 89th minute through Oguz Aydin's penalty.
With 26 points from their 22 league games so far, Alanyaspor sit 12th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Back at home, where they are unbeaten in their last four league matches, Saturday's hosts will be looking to record their first-ever top-flight win against Pendikspor, in only their second Super Lig meeting in history.
The reverse fixture was a dramatic affair, with two goals in five minutes at the end of the game seeing both sides settle for a 1-1 draw at the Pendik Stadium, a situation Tekke will be hoping to avoid this time around.
Pendikspor appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, with their hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kasimpasa at the Pendik Stadium on Tuesday stretching their unbeaten run to three matches in the Super Lig.
Ivo Vieira's men twice found themselves behind in the first half, conceding an own goal from Joher Rassoul and a strike from Gokhan Gul. However, they displayed impressive resilience, restoring parity on both occasions through Umut Nayir and a penalty from Mame Thiam.
With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Thuram emerged as the hero, grabbing the winner for the Istanbul-based side in the 90th minute to secure their second consecutive league victory – a feat they had only achieved once before this season.
Pendikspor's current tally of five wins, seven draws, and ten losses from their 22 Super Lig matches sees them occupy 17th position in the table with 22 points. However, they have the opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone on Saturday if they can snatch three points and other results are favourable to them.
Vieira's side now turn their attention to the road, seeking their first away win since November 4 against Istanbulspor. They have struggled on their travels since then, failing to win any of their five away games, losing three and drawing their last two.
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Team News
The hosts have every player available for selection heading into this match, with no injuries or suspensions.
Sergio Cordova is expected to continue in attack, supported by Efecan Karaca in the attacking midfield role.
Loide Augusto returned early from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations and could play a part in this match after coming on as a substitute last time out.
Pendikspor will take to the pitch without veteran forward Ahmed Hassan, who is currently away with Egypt at the ongoing AFCON.
On the injury front, the visitors remain without 27-year-old forward Emeka Eze, who has been sidelined since August through a severe ankle problem.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Balkovec, Aliti, Lima, Hadergjonaj; Fer, Novais; Aydin, Karaca, Ozdemir; Cordova
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Ozgenc, Ozturk, Rassoul, Sequeira; Akdag, Midtsjoe; Akbunar, Yardimci, Thiam; Nayir
We say: Alanyaspor 1-1 Pendikspor
Pendikspor have shown a different side recently, and we are backing them to give a good account of themselves here. The hosts have also been in fine form at home over the past couple of weeks, which is why we are predicting a draw, with both sides sharing the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
