Adana Demirspor set out in search of their first away win of the season when they journey to the Estadio Caykur Didi to take on Caykur Rizespor on Saturday.
Having lost each of the last three league meetings between the sides, the Black Sea Sparrowhawk will head into the weekend seeking to get one over the visitors and return to winning ways.
Match preview
Caykur Rizespor suffered their first defeat of the year on Tuesday as they were hammered 4-0 by a rampant Besiktas side when both teams locked horns at the Estadio Caykur Didi.
Besiktas flew out of the blocks as Millot Rashica opened the scoring inside the opening four minutes before a brace from Semih Kilicsoy and Cenk Tosun's 79th-minute efforts capped a superb team display.
Prior to that, Ilhan Palut's side were on an eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions — claiming five wins and three draws — and had won each of their previous five home games since the start of November.
Tuesday's game was also just the third time the Black Sea Sparrowhawk failed to find the back of the net at home this season and their first time conceding four goals since a 5-0 defeat at Fenerbahce on October 1.
Off the back of a solid first half of the season, Rizespor currently sit seventh in the Super Lig table, level on points with Saturday's visitors and just three points off the Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Adana Demirspor were left spitting feathers on Wednesday as they were held to a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw by rock-bottom Istanbulspor after bottling their lead in the final 10 minutes at the New Adana Stadium.
Having played out a goalless draw at Istanbul Basaksehir four days earlier, the hosts looked on course for their first win in 2024 after Yusuf Barasi and Andreaw Gravillon put them in a comfortable lead but Modestas Vorobjovas and Demeaco Duhaney scored in a late four-minute spell to force a share of the spoils.
Serkan Damla's men have now failed to win eight of their last nine outings since the start of November, claiming six draws and losing twice, including a 3-2 home loss against bottom-dwellers Samsunspor on December 2.
Demirspor's only victory in this two-month period came on Christmas Eve, when they narrowly edged out Antalyaspor 2-1 courtesy of first-half goals from Babajide David Akintola and 31-year-old Emre Akbaba.
For all their recent struggles, the Blue Lightnings have fared decently this season, losing just four league matches so far — the third-fewest number of defeats behind title contenders Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
Should Demirspor secure a place in Europe this season, results must drastically improve on their travels, where they are one of just two sides without a league win this season and currently hold the division's fourth-worst record, having picked up just six points from nine games.
Team News
Rizespor remain without the services of Nigerian midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury last July.
He is joined on the club's injury table by the duo of goalkeeper Gokhan Akkan and 20-year-old Efe Tecimer, who are currently recuperating from muscle and knee injuries respectively.
Defender Khusniddin Alikulov is currently away with the Uzbekistan national team in the Asian Cup and the 24-year-old is also out of contention for this weekend's clash.
As for Demirspor, Damla will be unable to call upon the services of veteran striker Mario Balotelli, who is set to sit out his eighth consecutive game after coming off injured against Fenerbahce on November 12.
Turkish forward Yusuf Sari missed Wednesday's clash against Istanbulspor through a knee injury and the 25-year-old is a major doubt for this weekend's matchup.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Cetin; Sahin,Topcu, Yasar, Nielsen; Shelvey, Olawoyin; Keser, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Gaich
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Makhammadaliev; Cokcalis, Guler, Gravillon, Erdogan; Akbaba, Michut; Barasi, Stambouli, Akintola; Nani
We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-1 Adana Demirspor
Currently level on points in the league standings, we anticipate that both sides will take the game to each other in search of maximum points. Demirspor's form on the road gives Rizespor a slight edge and we fancy the hosts to claim all three points, albeit by the odd goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
