Kasimpasa take on Pendikspor at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium on Saturday evening, in the latest round of Turkish Super Lig fixtures.
At this early stage of the season, the hosts are in seventh place, having picked up four points in their first two games, while the visitors are sat down in 18th.
Match preview
Kasimpasa have made a very solid start to their Turkish Super Lig campaign, winning one and drawing one of their opening two games, and they emerged victorious in sensational style on the opening day of the season.
At home against Ankaragucu, the Apaches were cruising after taking a 2-0 lead, only to be pegged back by two late goals from the visitors, but Mortadha Ben Ouanes popped up in the 93rd minute to ensure his side kicked off the season in perfect fashion.
Kemal Ozdes's side were involved in a very entertaining game to kick off the season, but they struggled to create much of anything in their last match away at Hatayspor, recording zero shots on target in the second half.
Although they were not at their best, Kasimpasa still managed to pick up a point on the road, playing out a 0-0 draw, and they are now back on home soil, taking on a newly-promoted side, which on paper should be an easier game.
Pendikspor achieved promotion to the Turkish Super Lig for the first time in their history last season, defeating Bodrumspor 2-1 in the playoff final, but they did not get off to the best of starts in the top tier.
At home against Hatayspor, the Istanbul-based club lost 5-1, with the visitors dominating the majority of the game, but they did manage to pick up a much more promising result last time out.
Although they may have been written off before their trip to giants Besiktas, Osman Ozkoylu's side managed to hold their own for parts of the game, and they ultimately picked up a point in dramatic fashion.
Heading into injury time, Pendikspor were trailing by one goal, but Oscar Romero managed to hold his nerve from the spot in the 94th minute to ensure his side took something from the game on the opening day.
Having got their first point on the board, Ozkoylu's side will be hoping to carry the momentum into their trip to the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium, coming up against Kasimpasa in a competitive match for the first time in their history.
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Team News
Kasimpasa have implemented a 4-2-3-1 system in both matches so far this season, with Mamadou Fall leading the line, and having already got off the mark, the 31-year-old should keep his place in the side.
Ben Ouanes and Iron Gomis are likely to provide support from the wings, with Haris Hajradinovic set to play in an attacking midfield role, having made a minimum of 30 league appearances for the Apaches in each of the last four seasons.
For their trip to Besiktas, Pendikspor implemented a more defensive 4-5-1 system, which worked effectively, so Ozkoylu is likely to adopt a more conservative game plan once again, and there are unlikely to be many changes to the side.
However, the manager may choose to bring Romero into the starting lineup, considering the attacking midfielder scored the equalising goal last time out, so Abdoulay Diaby could drop to the bench.
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Winck, Omeruo, Ozcan, Aksu; Kara, Gul, Ben Ouanes, Hajradinovic, Gomis; Fall
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Campolat; Asan, Welinton, Rassoul, Sequeira; Romero, Kaya, Akdag, Vukovic, Akbunar; Eze
We say: Kasimpasa 1-0 Pendikspor
Pendikspor got off to a very poor start to the campaign, but they put in a much-improved performance last time out away at Besiktas.
As such, we think this Saturday's game could end up being pretty close, but the visitors should have enough quality to take all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
