Hatayspor will be desperate to secure their first win of the season as they face Samsunspor in a Super Lig clash at their temporary home, Mersin Stadyumu this weekend.
Their opponents will look to build on the solid start under their new manager having picked up three points from their first two games.
Match preview
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Hatayspor's start to the Super Lig season has been challenging, with the team currently sitting 17th in the table after three matches.
They have managed to secure only one point, with their campaign kicking off with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Galatasaray, followed by a 1-1 draw at home against Kasimpasa, and most recently, a 3-2 loss away to Antalyaspor.
While their ability to score has been evident, with four goals in their opening matches, their defence has been leaky, conceding six goals. This defensive vulnerability is something that head coach Ozhan Pulat will need to address urgently if the Guneyin Yildizi are to turn their season around.
Adding to their struggles, the hosts continue to play their home matches in Mersin, a consequence of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which affected their home ground, Hatay Stadium. The disruption would undoubtedly challenge any team, affecting their home advantage.
Hatayspor will be looking to draw on their past success in this venue, where they managed a 3-0 victory against Samsunspor in their only previous home encounter last season. This historical success could serve as a morale booster as they seek their first win of the season.
Despite their current predicament, Pulat's men remain a team with potential, particularly in their attack, which has shown glimpses of promise. However, the pressure is on to secure results quickly, and the upcoming fixture against Samsunspor presents a crucial opportunity to do so.
Samsunspor in contrast have had a relatively steadier start to their Super Lig campaign.
Currently positioned 11th in the standings with three points from two games, they began their season with a tough 2-0 loss to Besiktas, but bounced back impressively with a 1-0 victory away at Gaziantep FK.
This win bodes well for the team's ability to respond to setbacks as it showed the early signs of resilience under the new management of Thomas Reis, who replaced Markus Gisdol in June after the latter's contract expired.
Reis, who took the helm on June 12, has been tasked with improving Samsunspor's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just three points above the drop zone.
The early signs under his leadership have been promising, with the team showing a more organised defensive structure compared to last season, with the clean sheet against Gaziantep FK being particularly encouraging, indicating an intent to do better than last season's number of seven.
Reis's men have a mixed record against Hatayspor, with their last encounter ending in a 3-0 defeat. However, they did secure a 2-1 victory in their only other meeting last season, highlighting that they are capable of competing with their hosts.
This upcoming fixture offers Samsunspor a chance to solidify their position in the league and continue their positive momentum under Reis. A win here could set the tone for the rest of their campaign and further distance them from the relegation battle that plagued them last season.
Team News
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Joelson Fernandes and Carlos Strandberg have been standout performers, each scoring two goals so far this season. Both players will be crucial for Hatayspor as they look to add to their tally and help turn their season around with a strong performance in this match.
Hatayspor will be without Guy-Marcelin Kilama, who is serving a suspension due to a red card in the last game.
Samsunspor could still be without Emre Kilinc for this fixture as he is dealing with a jaw injury, which has left him doubtful for the match.
Marius Mouandilmadji, who has yet to open his scoring account for the season, will be a key focus for the team as they look to him to provide the goals they need. The pressure will be on the team's highest goalscorer from last season to deliver, given his importance in the attacking setup.
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Kardesler; Sertel, Yilmaz, Ghoulam, Corekci; Matondo, Diack, Pedro; Fernandes, Bamgboye, Strandberg
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yvaru, Satka, Drongelen, Bola; Bennasser; Schindler, Holse, Ntcham, Muja; Mouandilmadji
We say: Hatayspor 2-1 Samsunspor
Hatayspor, despite their struggles, have shown some attacking promise and will benefit from their past success against Samsunspor at home, so we're backing the hosts to come out on top.
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