Kasimpasa and Antalyaspor square off in the Super Lig on Sunday with the opportunity to move closer to the European places.
These teams sit in ninth and 11th place in the standings having each lost two of their opening five matches this campaign.
Match preview
© Imago
On the back of their sensational fifth-placed finish from 2023-24, it is going to be hard for a team of Kasimpasa's stature to replicate that effort.
That is currently proving an accurate assessment with just one win being recorded in five outings, with the 1-0 win in question coming at a team in Caykur Rizespor who appear in freefall.
Nevertheless, Sami Ugurlu's side still have five points from as many games with one of their defeats coming against title contenders Fenerbahce.
With a trip to Galatasaray to come before the end of the month, Kasimpasa's start to the season remains a challenge, but there have been enough positives in their results to suggest that they can compete in the top half.
However, taking last season into consideration, this is a club that has not recorded back-to-back victories since February.
From the perspective of Antalyaspor, they are bidding to improve on finishing in 10th position last season, despite what was a poor end to the campaign.
Alex de Souza's side have responded by collecting seven points from a possible 15, their two victories coming against Hatayspor and Adana Demirspor.
On away territory, though, Antalyaspor have conceded nine goals in just two matches, losing 4-2 at Besiktas and 5-2 to Istanbul Basaksehir.
As a result, they possess the joint second-worst defensive record in the division, even having started 2024-25 with a clean sheet.
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Team News
Ugurlu must decide whether to stick with the back five that started against Fenerbahce or switch back to a four.
New signing Josip Brekalo started that game as a left wing-back, but the Croatia international could be used further forward if Ugurlu deploys a more attack-minded formation.
Antonin Barak, another former Fiorentina man, could also be involved, but that again depends on the tactics used.
Meanwhile, Erdogan Yesilyurt is in line to start at left-back for Antalyaspor after the injury to Emrecan Uzunhan during the early stages against Demirspor.
However, Guray Vural is also back from suspension and could be considered for a starting role instead.
Andros Townsend finally made his first start last time out, the winger expected to retain his spot barring any fitness issues.
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Winck, Opoku, Ozcan, Ouanes, Brekalo; Hajradinovic, Sadiku, Gul; Fall, Costa
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Piric; Yilmaz, Sari, Kelven, Yesilyurt; Kaluzinski, Rakip; Townsend, Larsson, Djenepo; Samudio
We say: Kasimpasa 1-1 Antalyaspor
Although each team has been inconsistent this campaign, they will also have taken confidence from their positive results. With that in mind, it would not be a surprise to see this contest end in a draw, something which would not suit either side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
