Konyaspor and Bodrumspor are set to face off in a pivotal match that could significantly impact the fight to avoid relegation in the Turkish Super Lig.
The hosts currently sit just above the drop zone, five points ahead of the visitors, who occupy the first spot in the bottom four.
Match preview
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Konyaspor narrowly escaped relegation last season, finishing just one point above the drop zone, and find themselves in a similarly precarious position this term.
After a mixed start to the campaign, which saw five defeats and three wins in their opening 10 league games, the club parted ways with manager Ali Camdali, appointing Recep Ucar in late October.
However, the change has yet to yield the desired results, having managed only two wins in their last 10 league matches, slipping to 15th place and dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Their recent form has been particularly concerning, with a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray marking a sixth consecutive league game without a win, including three draws and three losses.
Friday's clash presents an opportunity for Konyaspor to turn their fortunes around, especially against a Bodrumspor side struggling even more this season – however, the Anatolian Eagles will need to improve on their 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this term.
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Bodrumspor, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their perfect record against Konyaspor in the Super Lig, having won their only previous top-flight encounter.
That said, the visitors have been poor on the road this season, securing just one win in 10 away matches while losing seven, leaving them among the bottom four in the away table.
Like their opponents, the visitors also made a managerial change in October, with Volkan Demirel replacing Ismet Tasdemir – however, the switch has not sparked an upturn in form, as the team has dropped from 13th to 16th, firmly entrenched in the relegation battle.
Demirel will be particularly frustrated by his side's lack of cutting edge in their recent 1-0 home defeat to Eyupspor, where they failed to score despite creating 17 attempts on goal, a loss that extended Bodrumspor's winless run to five league games and six across all competitions.
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Team News
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Konyaspor will be without Pedrinho, Filip Damjanovic and Emmanuel Boateng, who are all sidelined due to injuries.
The hosts will rely on striker Blaz Kramer to rediscover his scoring form as he leads the line on Friday.
Bodrumspor, meanwhile, remain without Suleyman Ozdamar, Haqi Osman and Tunahan Akpinar due to injuries.
However, they will welcome back midfielder Gokdeniz Bayrakdar, who missed the last game through suspension.
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Boranijasevic, Demirbag, Bazoer, Guilherme; Jevtovic; Ndao, Ulgun, Ibrahimoglu, Erdogan; Kramer
Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:
Sousa; Bilsel, Celustka, Ajeti, Sen; Antalyali, Mohammed, Fredy; Okita, Puscas, Seferi
We say: Konyaspor 1-0 Bodrumspor
With home advantage and a need to end their winless run, Konyaspor may edge this tight contest – however, Bodrumspor's desperation for points could make it a scrappy affair, which is why we are expecting a low-scoring win for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
