Eyupspor will be the guest of Goztepe SK in their Turkish Super Lig gameweek 28 fixture at the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts will be looking to snap a six-game winless streak, while the visitors will aim for a second consecutive win, as their quest for European football intensifies.
Match preview
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Goztepe’s dismal run in the Turkish top flight continued after a 3-1 loss to Sivasspor in their last league outing, extending their winless streak to six matches.
Stanimir Stoilov‘s team took the lead courtesy of Kuryu Matsuki‘s effort in the 33rd minute, but Charilaos Charisis restored parity in the second half, before a brace from Turac Boke ensured the Braves took all three points.
After accruing 36 points from 25 matches to sit sixth in the standings, European football seems to be out of reach for the hosts via the league with only 10 fixtures left in the current campaign.
However, the Goz Goz are well and truly alive in the Turkish Cup, having made it to the last eight, with an alternative path to European football next season on offer.
That said, the hosts will be eager to end their winless run, to avoid going seven games without a win in the league for the first time since August.
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Elsewhere, Eyupspor claimed a 2-1 win over Konyaspor to snap a four-game winless streak that threatened to derail their European ambitions.
The visitors previously enjoyed a four-game winning run in January, before a slump which saw them earn only one point in the last month.
With their latest win, Arda Turan‘s charges are fifth in the table with 43 points, one place and a point behind Besiktas, who are in the final UEFA Conference League spot.
A win in Sunday’s fixture will certainly get them closer to playing in Europe next season, but the visitors have to be wary of their disciplinary issues, having recorded a sending-off in two successive matches.
More worrisome is their inability to get the better of the hosts in their last three visits to the Gursel Aksel Stadium, managing a draw and suffering two defeats.
Team News
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Isaac Solet and Djalma Silva are both suffering from cruciate ligament injuries, and they will sit out Sunday’s contest.
Meanwhile, Koray Gunter was sent off against Sivasspor in their last outing, meaning he is suspended for this encounter.
As for the travelling side, Arda Turan has a long list of injuries to contend with ahead of this fixture.
Taskin Ilter, Fredrik Midtsjo and Recep Niyaz are all long-term absentees, who are not expected to feature for their team until the end of the season.
Yalcin Kayan and Umut Meras are in line to deputise for the injured Melih Kabasakal and suspended Caner Erkin.
Similarly, Dorukhan Tokoz is expected to be drafted into the defence, as Robin Yalcin is suspended.
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Heliton, Bokele, Altikardes; Koybasi, Dennis, Miroshi, Nielsen; Tijanic; Romulo, Juan
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Claro, Vezo, Tokoz, Meras; Akbaba, Kayan, Bingol; Mor, Thiam, Ampem
We say: Goztepe SK 1-1 Eyupspor
Both teams suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, but Eyupspor found a way out of the doldrums in their last league outing.
Given the struggles of the visitors on their travels to Izmir in recent times, and the desperation of the home side, the contest is likely to end in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
