Samsunspor will look to make the most of their clash against the Turkish Super Lig‘s bottom side when they host Adana Demirspor at the Samsun 19 May Stadium on Sunday.
The Red Lightning are winless in their last two league outings, putting their Europa League hopes at risk, while the visitors are looking to salvage what is left of their season.
Match preview
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Currently sitting third in the Super Lig, Samsunspor have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign and have largely avoided prolonged dips in form.
However, their European ambitions are now under threat, with Besiktas closing the gap to just three points after a recent resurgence.
A 3-2 home defeat to Rizespor was followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Goztepe, marking the first time this season that Thomas Reis‘s side have conceded two or more goals in consecutive league games.
Despite that setback, Sunday’s fixture presents an ideal opportunity for Samsunspor to bounce back and tighten their grip on third place, while they also have the chance to complete a first-ever league double over Adana, having won the reverse fixture 3-1.
Samsunspor have been strong at home this season, going nine league matches unbeaten at the Samsun 19 May Stadium before their recent loss to Rizespor.
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Meanwhile, Adana Demirspor are fighting to prolong their status as a top-flight side, though their relegation appears increasingly inevitable.
The Blue Lightnings have shown resilience in recent weeks, as demonstrated in their goalless draw with Bodrumspor last time out.
Interestingly, that was the first time in five matches that Mustafa Avci‘s side failed to score, having netted eight goals in their previous four outings.
Adana’s struggles this season have been compounded by multiple points deductions for financial and disciplinary issues, and they remain two points in debt to the league standings, but an upset against Samsunspor would be a small step towards redemption.
Team News
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Samsunspor welcome back Olivier Ntcham from suspension, but Carlo Holse is now ruled out for this match due to suspension.
Lubomir Satka remains the only injury concern, while Kingsley Schindler impressed off the bench against Goztepe with a goal and could be handed a starting role.
For Adana, goalkeeper Vedat Karakus was forced off with an injury against Bodrumspor and will be assessed ahead of the match, meaning Murat Eser could start in goal.
However, Deniz Donmezer and Breyton Fougeu are sidelined with injuries, and are confirmed absentees from the game.
Nabil Alioui was left out of the squad against Bodrumspor for undisclosed reasons, but local reports suggest he will return to the starting XI on Sunday.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Cift, Van Drongelen, Bola; Ait Bennasser, Yuksel; Kilinc, Ntcham, Schindler; Mouandilmadji
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Eser; Burak, Ersoy, Kalender, Kurtulan; Maestro, Celik; Balat, Aydogan, Alioui; Aymbetov
We say: Samsunspor 3-0 Adana Demirspor
Samsunspor may have struggled defensively in recent weeks, but their clinical edge in attack should be enough to secure a home win against an Adana side that have conceded three goals in each of their last three away games.
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