Umraniyespor will be looking to continue their fine recent form in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Konyaspor on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are bottom of the table, but they have shown signs of improvement recently, while the visitors are firmly rooted in mid-table, currently sitting in eighth place.
Match preview
© Reuters
Umraniyespor have found it difficult to adjust to life in the top tier of Turkish football, picking up just 22 points from 25 games, but they could escape the relegation zone with a victory on Sunday.
Sunday's hosts are two points from safety, owing to the fact Hatayspor have been given permission to withdraw from the league, meaning they could climb above the likes of Giresunspor and Istanbulspor if they are able to pick up another three points.
Recep Ucar's side have shown remarkable signs of improvement recently, picking up decent points against Adana Demirspor and Kasimpasa, but most notably defeating reigning champions Trabzonspor 2-1 away from home, in a real shock result.
It is fair to say Umraniyespor have been prolific in front of goal all season, scoring 33 goals, the second-highest amount of any side in the bottom half, but their defence has too often let them down, keeping a clean sheet in just one of their last 15 games.
Last time out, Ucar's men drew 1-1 away at Kasimpasa, continuing their decent form on their travels, but they are now tasked with winning at home in the league for the first time since the beginning of November.
Konyaspor do not have a great deal to play for as we enter the final third of the Turkish Super Lig season, and it will probably be considered a disappointing campaign all things considered, given that they managed to finish in third place last term.
Having acquired 34 points in 25 games, the Green and Whites are 15 points off the top three, meaning it would take a remarkable turnaround for them to compete for the European qualification places.
Under the helm of former manager Ilhan Palut, the Anatolian Eagle went on a torrid run starting in October, which culminated in him losing his job in January, after winning just once in 10 games.
That form initially continued under new manager Aleksandar Stanojevic, who lost his first four games in charge of Konyaspor in all competitions, but there has been an uptick in results in recent weeks.
In their last match, the Green and Whites emerged shock 2-0 winners against league-leaders Galatasaray, with Ogulcan Ulgun striking a 93rd-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory.
Team News
Umraniyespor have no fresh injury concerns to deal with, meaning Ucar is likely to stick by the team that performed well against Kasimpasa in the last match.
After scoring the equaliser last time out, Antonio Mrsic is poised to keep his place in central midfield, partnering Durel Avounou, who has now returned from international duty with DR Congo.
Umut Nayir is Umraniyespor's key player, scoring 10 goals and bagging two assists in the Turkish Super Lig this season, and he will undoubtedly be leading the line, fresh off the back of making his debut for Turkey against Armenia in the recent international break.
Konyaspor will be limited in numbers in attacking areas, with winger Konrad Michalak, who has made 18 league appearances this season, ruled out with a muscle injury, meaning Marlos Moreno should keep his place on the left, in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Striker Uche Ikpeazu is also suffering with a muscle problem, so Muhammet Demir will keep his place up front, having only recently returned from an injury issue of his own.
Umraniyespor possible starting lineup:
Ozdemir; Popov, Glumac, Epureanu, Atasayar; Geraldo, Mrsic, Gurbulak, Avounou, Gheorghe; Nayir
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Oguz, Demirbag, Yazgili, Haubert; Dikmen, Bouchalakis, Moreno, Pozuelo, Emreli; Demir
We say: Umraniyespor 1-1 Konyaspor
Both sides have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, particularly Konyaspor, who managed to limit the league leaders to very few chances, so we expect Sunday's game to be very closely contested.
If any side is to come away with the three points, it is likely to be Konyaspor, given that Umraniyespor have the worst home record in the league, but the most likely result is a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
