Two relegation-threatened sides in the Turkish Super Lig looking to avoid the drop come together on Sunday as Samsunspor host Ankaragucu at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadyumu.
The hosts come into this game in 12th spot, just four points above the bottom four, while the visitors are 15th and one point above 17th-placed Hatayspor.
Match preview
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Samsunspor, under the guidance of Huseyin Eroglu, started their first season back in the Turkish top flight since 2011-12 in awful fashion as after nine games they were still yet to claim a victory and had managed to earn just two points.
Eroglu was sacked during this run with Emre Bayraktar and Fuat Capa taking charge of two games before new permanent manager Markus Gisdol took the reins, with his first game ending as a 0-0 draw with Istanbul Basaksehir.
Gisdol quickly turned his side's fortunes around, leading them to back-to-back victories in his third and fourth games in charge, and the German has since taken his side out of the relegation zone and into 12th place before their upcoming game.
Samsunspor have been able to make their home ground a fortress since the appointment of their new manager, only losing to Besiktas and Galatasaray since he joined midway through October, and leaving them as the fifth-best home side in the league this season.
This will give them plenty of confidence ahead of their game against Ankaragucu, who come into this one having only won two of the 13 away games they have played in the Super Lig so far.
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Emre Belozoglu's side, who have been in the Turkish top flight since 2018-19, are looking down the barrel of relegation as they sit just a single point above 17th place.
Ankaragucu's main problem this season has been their inability to turn draws into wins, having struggled to create and convert chances this season.
AG have created just 27.6xG this campaign, the second lowest of any side in the division, while they have also missed a massive 23 recorded big chances, resulting in them drawing a league-high 12 games and managing to claim all three points in only six of their 28 games played.
If Belozoglu's side are to avoid relegation this season then they must improve their ruthlessness in the coming games, starting with this one against Samsunspor.
Team News
Samsunspor will be without two of their key players coming into this game as both Marius Mouandilmadji and Rick Van Drongelen are out due to suspension.
Mouandilmadji was sent off in the previous game against Basaksehir, leaving his side without their top scorer in this potential relegation six-pointer.
Ankaragucu will be without one of their own due to suspension, with backup goalkeeper Ertac Ozbir being sent off in their 1-1 draw with Istanbulspor last weekend.
Additionally, Ankaragucu's top scorer is also out as Efkan Bekiroglu's time on the sidelines continues, with the midfielder not expected to return until later this month.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Bola, Gonul; Celik, Antalyali; Holse, Ntcham, Raman; Kara
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Gungordu; Kitsiou, Cetin, Mujakic, Karatas; Cigerci, Guneren; Bassogog, Pedrinho, Chatzigiovanis; Sowe
We say: Samsunspor 2-0 Ankaragucu
Samsunspor's superb home form this season combined with Ankaragucu's abysmal away form makes us believe that the home side should win this game fairly comfortably.
Ankaragucu have struggled for goals at the best of times this year, but with their top scorer Bekiroglu still out with injury we cannot see them scoring in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
