There is still plenty left to play for near the foot of the Turkish Super Lig table, and Caykur Rizespor will be all too aware of that as they prepare to welcome Gaziantep in a fixture that may prove vital in the relegation picture.
With five games to go, the hosts sit 14th, just three points above the drop zone, while the visitors are not entirely out of danger themselves, but an eight-point cushion offers some comfort.
Match preview
© Imago
The margin for error is shrinking for Caykur Rizespor who suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Kayserispor last time out despite creating chances, enough for at least a draw, but their lack of composure in the final third left them with nothing to show.
It was their fourth defeat in six matches, a stretch that yielded just one win, a narrow 1-0 over Eyupspor last time out, and left them looking over their shoulders as they are now firmly in the relegation picture with just five games remaining.
Rizespor’s biggest issue lately has been putting the ball in the back of the net, having scored just three times in their last six matches, while they allowed eight into their net.
However, being at home for Saturday’s clash with Gaziantep could offer a timely boost, as this fixture has consistently favoured the hosts in recent years, with the last five meetings having all gone the way of the home side.
There is also a small sense of revenge in the air, with Rizespor losing the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season, and manager Ilhan Palut will be desperate for a win here, as it could offer a crucial buffer heading into a tough run-in, with games still to come against the likes of Konyaspor, Goztepe, and Besiktas.
© BBC
Gaziantep, meanwhile, come into this with less immediate pressure, but no guarantee of safety either, though they are well placed to remain in the top flight for another season.
The 3-1 defeat to Fenerbahce last time out was a frustrating one, particularly after taking a deserved lead into half time, only to suffer a second half collapse under sustained pressure.
That result made it three defeats from their last five matches, a run that has included just one victory, and it has majorly been down to their away form, as Gaziantep have lost 10 of their 15 league games on the road.
Still, with an eight-point gap to the relegation zone and a relatively kind fixture list, including two more home games and an away trip to bottom side Adana Demirspor, Gaz should have enough to steer clear of danger.
Team News
© Imago
David Akintola is likely to start on the right wing for Rizespor in place of Rachid Ghezzal, who remains sidelined through injury.
In defence, Husniddin Aliqulov will step in for the injured Samet Akaydin, while Giannis Papanikolaou continues his absence due to a long-term issue.
Gaziantep boss Selcuk Inan has a full squad at his disposal this weekend, as Kacper Kozlowski and David Okereke are both available again after serving one-match suspensions.
Inan preferred Semih Guler over Arda Kizildag in the last outing, and the former is likely to retain his spot at centre-back.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Aliqulov, Hojer; Pala, Ozcan; Akintola,Olawoyin, Jurecka; Sowe
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Bozan; Husic, Guler, Viana, Sorescu; Ndiaye, Kozlowski; Okereke, Maxim, Lungoyi; Dervisoglu
We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-1 Gaziantep
Rizespor have been far more convincing at home this season and will see this as a must-win given their precarious position, and with Gaziantep losing 10 of their 15 away games, showing little sign of improvement on the road, it is hard to see them taking anything from this.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
