The Esenyurt Necmi Kadioglu Stadium gets set for a clash of contrasting fates this weekend, as Istanbul Basaksehir, buoyed by a surge of confidence, visit Fatih Karagumruk, who are battling to crawl out of the relegation mire.
Both teams arrive on the back of positive results in the Turkish Cup, seeking to translate that momentum into league success.
Match preview
© Reuters
Fatih Karagumruk booked their place in the next round of the Turkish Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over Kirklarelispor on Tuesday, courtesy of a brace from Serdar Dursun.
However, their league form remains starkly contrasting, as the Black Reds were brought crashing back down to earth last weekend with a 3-0 defeat to Besiktas, which is their fifth loss in six league games.
That result plunged Shota Arveladze's men back into the relegation zone, sitting 17th in the table, just a single point adrift of safety.
Next up comes Istanbul Basaksehir, who they have never lost to in the Super Lig, boasting five wins and two draws in seven top-flight encounters.
Karagumruk, who have garnered 15 of their 20 league points at home this season, will be desperate to record consecutive home wins for just the second time in this campaign, after the victory over Kayserispor in their last league game on home turf.
Meanwhile, Istanbul Basaksehir continued their impressive run with a 1-0 cup victory over Boluspor on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten streak to eight games across all competitions.
Cagdas Atan's side also secured a 3-2 league win against Alanyaspor last weekend, making it four wins and two draws in the Super Lig since a 3-2 defeat at Caykur Rizespor on December 2.
Despite a poor first half of the season, the Grey Owls find themselves in ninth place with 26 points, six points clear of the relegation zone and nine away from the final European qualification spot.
Their away form, however, remains their Achilles' heel, and they will be keen to build on their win over Kasimpasa on their last trip.
The additional challenge of achieving a first-ever Super Lig win over Karagumruk could further motivate the visitors as they chase their third away victory of the season.
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts will be without Ryan Mendes and Sofiane Feghouli, who are currently on international duty with Cape Verde and Algeria respectively in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
They might also be without the services of midfielder Tonio Teklic, who made his debut in midweek after joining on loan from Trabzonspor last week, as he nurses a muscle problem.
Basaksehir will be without 29-year-old defender Edgar Ie, who is currently away on international duty with the Guinea-Bissau national team.
Atan will also be unable to call on the midfield duo of Efe Arda Koyuncu and 25-year-old Patryk Szysz, who have been ruled out through hamstring and ACL injuries respectively.
Turkish goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer has been out of action since coming off with a severe thigh injury against Konyaspor on September 2 and is doubtful for Saturday's tie.
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Bilgin; Mercan, Dresevic, Dursun, Veseli; Rohden, Paoletti, Eysseric; Yalcin, Keles, Lasagna
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Dubois, Duarte, Ba, Lima; Turuc; Figueiredo, Abeid, Ozcan, Pelkas; Piatek
We say: Fatih Karagumruk 1-2 Istanbul Basaksehir
Determined to break their rut against Karagumruk, Basaksehir will find the current circumstances ripe for a turnaround.
Riding a wave of confidence, the visitors arrive equally eager to maintain their positive momentum. Ultimately, Basaksehir's experience and superior form should prove too much for the Black Reds to handle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
