Seeking to extend their seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, Antalyaspor play host to Fatih Karagumruk at the Corendon Airlines Park Antalya Stadium in round 15 of the Super Lig on Saturday.
Having failed to win the last six league meetings between the teams, Kara Kirmizi will head into the weekend looking to finally get one over the hosts for the first time since 2021 and pick up successive league victories for the first time since March.
Match preview
Antalyaspor maintained their fine run of results with a 6-1 victory over Antalya Kepezspor in round four of the Turkish Cup on Tuesday.
Britt Assombalonga bagged a brace, while Gerrit Holtmann, Sander van de Streek, Sam Larsson and Bahadir Ozturk were also on the scoresheet for the Scorpions.
Antalyaspor now turn their attention to the Super Lig, where they are currently on a five-game unbeaten streak while recording draws in their last two matches, settling for a 0-0 scoreline with Caykur Rizespor and salvaging a 3-3 draw against Hatayspor last time out.
Nuri Sahin's men are unbeaten in seven games across all competitions since their 1-0 loss to Gaziantep in the Super Lig on October 21.
They have now won five of their 14 Super Lig matches so far while losing four and claiming five draws to collect 20 points and sit ninth in the Super Lig standings.
After playing their last league match away from home, Antalyaspor will return to Corendon Airlines Park, where they have won and drawn three respectively in seven league matches this campaign, with a 2-0 loss against Galatasaray on October 7 being the exception.
Fatih Karagumruk also had Turkish Cup action on Tuesday, picking up a 3-1 victory over Belediye Derince to advance in the competition.
Prior to that, Kara Kirmizi turned in a superb team display in their last Super Lig outing as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Istanbulspor, courtesy of goals from Ryan Mendes, Can Keles and an own goal from David Jensen.
Alparslan Erdem's men have now won three of their last four games across all competitions, with the exception being a 2-1 loss to Fenerbahce in the Super Lig just after the November international break.
Karagumruk have picked up four wins, five draws and lost five of their 14 Super Lig matches to collect 17 points and sit 11th in the table, level on points with 12th-placed Ankaragucu.
While Karagumruk will look to keep up their fine form, next up is the stern challenge of taking on an opposition they have failed to get the better of in their last six Super Lig meetings, losing four and claiming two draws since January 2021.
Team News
Antalyaspor will take to the pitch without the services of goalkeeper Helton Leite and 35-year-old midfielder Guray Vural, who have been ruled out through injuries.
Following Leite's injury, Ataberk Dadakdeniz is expected to be in goal while Naldo continues in place of Vural.
Experienced defender Omer Toprak has missed the last two matches since coming off against Rizespor on November 26 and is doubtful for this weekend's clash.
With his brace against Kepezspor, Assombalonga now has seven goals in his last six games and we expect the 30-year-old to spearhead the hosts' attack once again.
Karagumruk will be without defender Ibrahim Dresevic, who is suspended after an accumulation of four yellow cards.
Guven Yalcin was on the bench for Tuesday's win over Derince, but the 24-year-old should be back in the starting XI to lead the visitors' attack once again.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Dadakdeniz; Balci, Ozturk, Naldo, Yesilyurt; Rakip, Saric, Larsson, van de Streek, Yehezkel; Assombalonga
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Biraschi, Dresevic, Ceccherini, Veseli; Feghouli, Shukurov; Mendes, Eysseric, Keles; Yalcin
We say: Antalyaspor 1-0 Fatih Karagumruk
Antalyaspor have a lot of belief at the moment, which can be seen in their recent results. The Scorpions also have a good home record this season, only losing to league leaders Fenerbahce.
Karagumruk are also in a good moment, but their away form has been poor, picking up only five points from a possible 18. They also tend to struggle against Antalyaspor, failing to beat the hosts since 2021.
We expect a close game; however, Antalyaspor have the quality to edge it out in the end.
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