Relegation-threatened Gaziantep host continental aspirants Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday evening.
Having failed to win in their last meetings with the visitors, the Falcons will head into the weekend looking to end this four-year spell and potentially move out of the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Gaziantep's fight for survival in the Super Lig suffered another blow as they were defeated 1-0 by Antalyaspor at the Antalya Stadium last Monday.
Sam Larsson's goal five minutes before half time condemned the Falcons to their second consecutive defeat, as they are now winless in their last three matches.
Marius Sumudica's side has been in poor form since the turn of the year, winning only one of their last 11 league outings, losing four times and drawing six, with the 3-1 victory at Istanbulspor on February 11 being the sole exception.
This dreadful start to 2024 has put Gaziantep's five-year spell in the top flight in jeopardy, as they sit 18th in the Super Lig table, just a point behind 16th-placed Fatih Karagumruk who are precariously above the relegation zone.
Gaziantep will be hoping to return to winning ways on Monday, but their record against Besiktas does not inspire confidence, having lost nine out of 14 encounters, failing to win any of the last six.
© Reuters
Besiktas' European ambitions were dented last time out after a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Galatasaray at Vodafone Park (Istanbul).
Despite the loss, they remain in fourth place with 46 points, only behind Trabzonspor, who also lost last weekend, on goal difference.
The Black Eagles have endured a turbulent season so far with Fernando Santos being their fifth manager in this campaign, following spells by Senol Gunes, Riza Calimbay, Burak Yilmaz, and Serdar Topraktepe (both interim).
Santos's early reign at Besiktas was challenging, and although he won his first three games, his side then went on a three-match spell without a win or a goal.
They responded with a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions before succumbing to defeat last weekend.
Besiktas boast the league's fourth-best away record and are unbeaten in their last two on the road. However, they will be wary of their trip to Gaziantep, having not won there since 2011, losing three times, drawing twice and winning just once in their last six visits.
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Gaziantep will remain without the services of experienced midfielder Bryan Acosta, who has been ruled out since coming off injured against Sivasspor on January 21.
Denis Dragus is expected to spearhead the attack, while Alexandru Maxim should provide the needed support behind the striker.
Besiktas will be without Omar Colley, who was sent off in the 90th minute against Galatasaray last time out.
Yakup Arda Kilic, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Emrecan Uzunhan are also sidelined with varying degree of injuries.
Meanwhile, Salih Ucan and Tayfur Bingol are doubtful for this clash, and will have to pass late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Kizildag, N'Koulou, Ersoy; Morais, Ozcicek, Badji, Gradel, Sorescu; Monteiro, Dragus
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Bulut, Uysal, Sanuc, Masuaku; Al Musrati, Amartey; Rashica, Muci, Tosun; Kilicsoy
We say: Gaziantep 1-2 Besiktas
Besiktas are favorites heading into this fixture and will see this as a great opportunity to bounce back from last weekend's defeat. They have been dominant in this fixture and are the fourth-best team on the road. While they have struggled on their visits to Gaziantep, we think they will get a win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
