Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday.
The hosts are in sixth spot in the Turkish Super Lig table, while the visitors are 11 points better off in third position.
Match preview
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Goztepe’s European hopes have been dented by a poor run of form which has seen them take one point from four league games since beating Antalyaspor in January.
They lost back-to-back matches against Fenerbahce and Alanyaspor, before they went on to play out a goalless away draw against Bodrum.
Goztepe produced another goal-shy display in last Sunday’s away meeting with Kayserispor, failing to score in a third consecutive league game as they fell to a narrow defeat.
Stanimir Stoilov‘s side found their shooting boots for their midweek Turkish Cup clash against Kasimpasa, easing to a 5-0 victory to finish in the top two of their group alongside Fenerbahce to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
They will now look to get their European qualification bid, with six points separating them from fourth place and a spot in Conference League qualifying.
Monday’s hosts boast the third-best defensive record in the top flight, having won nine, drawn one and lost one of their 11 home games at Gursel Aksel Stadium.
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Samsunspor are sitting in third place in the standings after winning 14, drawing four and losing six of their 24 league matches.
Thomas Reis‘s side have experienced mixed results in recent league games, having won three and lost two of their previous five top-flight fixtures.
After seeing off Gaziantep, Samsunspor fell to a heavy 4-0 away defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir, before they returned to winning ways with back-to-back wins without conceding against Hatayspor and Konyaspor.
They looked set to make it three successive league wins after establishing a two-goal lead in last Saturday’s home clash against Caykur Rizepor, only to concede three second-half goals to leave them with nothing to show for their efforts.
That 3-2 defeat brought an end to a nine-game unbeaten home run in the top flight, but while they would have been disappointed by that result, the third-placed side are still in a strong spot to secure a top-four finish, boasting a six-point buffer to Eyupspor in fifth position.
Samsunspor enter Monday’s fixture with hopes of completing a league double over Goztepe after winning 4-3 in September’s reverse fixture.
Team News
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Goztepe are expected to be without the services of Taha Altikardes, Isaac Solet and Emersonn, while there are also doubts surrounding the availability of Romulo Cardoso.
After making changes in midweek, Stoilov is likely to make several alterations for Monday’s fixture, with Lasse Nielsen, Malcolm Bokele, Anthony Dennis and Novatus Miroshi among those who could come into the side.
Juan could retain his place after finding the net in the cup win, with the striker looking to add to the seven league goals he has scored this season.
As for the visitors, they will be unable to call upon midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who is set to serve a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.
In positive news, defender Marc Bola and forward Marius Mouandilmadji will return to the fold after missing the defeat to Rizespor through suspension.
Marius will offer one of the visitor’s main goal threats, having scored eight goals in 23 competitive appearances, including a goal in the reverse fixture against Goztepe.
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Nielsen, Heliton, Bayir; Sangare, Dennis, Miroshi, Silva; Hugo; Juan, Matsuki
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Bola; Ait Bennasser, Yuksel; Kilinc, Holse, Dimata; Marius
We say: Goztepe SK 2-1 Samsunspor
Goztepe may have lost their most recent top-flight home outing, but they put together a nine-game winning home league run prior to that defeat against Alanyaspor, and with that in mind, we think they will make full use of home advantage to claim a narrow victory on Monday.
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