Umraniyespor will be looking to make it five games undefeated in competitive action when they play host to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday.
The home side are bottom of the league standings, but they were showing some positive signs before the break for the Qatar World Cup, while the visitors will commence proceedings in fifth place.
Match preview
The season being paused for the World Cup came at just the wrong time for Umraniyespor, as they were finally starting to find their feet in the first tier of Turkish football after a difficult start.
In their last two league outings, Recep Ucar's side have amassed four points, having acquired a total of three in the 11 previous matches, failing to pick up a single victory until the beginning of November, and they are now six points from safety.
For their first game of the season, the side from Istanbul were handed a very tough start but came very close to winning away at league leaders Fenerbahce, leading 3-2 until Mergim Berisha struck in stoppage time to ensure that the spoils were shared.
However, Ucar's men failed to build on a very respectable point and lost six of the next seven games, although none of them was by more than one goal, highlighting that they were never really totally outplayed in any match.
Things started to click when Umraniyespor defeated Alanyaspor 3-1 at the start of last month, and they picked up from where they left off last time out, winning 2-1 away at Kasimpasa to secure progression in the Turkish Cup.
Basaksehir have had a mixed start to the Super Lig season, unable to really put a consistent run of form together, and they are currently outside the top three, albeit only on goal difference.
It was not until October that the Grey Owls recorded a defeat in either the league or the Europa Conference League, but since a 2-0 loss to Sivasspor, they have started to slide down the league table.
Prior to the World Cup break, Emre Belozoglu's side had won just one of their last four league matches, losing 1-0 to Fenerbahce on the road before again struggling on their travels at Hatayspor, drawing 3-3 to the strugglers.
However, the real cause for concern will have been Basaksehir's crushing 7-0 home defeat against Galatasaray, a performance that made it look like there were far more than three points separating the two sides in the table.
Last time out, the Grey Owls returned to winning ways in the Turkish Cup, defeating Goztepe 3-1 courtesy of a brace from Serdar Gurler and a first-half strike from Stefano Okaka.
Team News
Umraniyespor made a few changes for the Turkish Cup game against Kasimpasa last time out, with Metehan Mimaroglu and Antonio Mrsic both getting on the scoresheet, and the latter is likely to keep his place in the starting lineup.
Sekan Goksu could play alongside him in the centre of the pitch, having made 13 league appearances this season, while Onur Atasayar and Strahil Popov are set to return at full-back.
Mesut Ozil is a major doubt for Basaksehir, as he is still recovering from surgery on his back, which has ruled him out since September.
While he has not been a consistent option for Emre Belozoglu this season, Serdar Gurler should keep his place on the wing after an impressive display last time out, with Mounir Chouiar on the opposite flank.
Lucas Biglia was brought off after suffering an issue in the game against Goztepe, with Francis Nzaba, who may now keep his place in the team, replacing him.
Umraniyespor possible starting lineup:
Ozdemir; Popov, Allyson, Glumac, Atasayar; Goksu, Sackey, Mrsic; Geraldo, Del Valle, Nayir
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Caicara, Duarte, Ndayishimiye, Touba; Nzaba, Chouiar, Ozcan, Gurler, Traore; Okaka
We say: Umraniyespor 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
Umraniyespor look like they have really started to turn the corner, and they proved earlier this season that they are capable of taking points off some of the better teams in the league.
With that in mind, we think that Basaksehir will find it tough, like they did in their last competitive away trip against Hatayspor, and the spoils will be shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
