Eyupspor will look to halt their downward slide when they welcome Kasimpasa to Istanbul on matchday 35 of the Turkish Super Lig.
The hosts are five points behind fourth-placed Besiktas, despite having played one game extra, while they are on a three-match losing streak.
Match preview
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Arda Turan‘s men burst onto the top-flight scene after winning the TFF First League title last season, and for much of the first half of the campaign, they looked like surprise contenders for European qualification.
However, recent form has seen their season tail off, with a 3-0 defeat away to Samsunspor last time out marking their third consecutive league loss, and the momentum built earlier in the year appears to have faded.
Despite that, a win this weekend could revive their hopes if results elsewhere go in their favour, but their lack of consistency in recent weeks could come to bite again.
The hosts have struggled to maintain consistency at home in recent weeks, losing two of their last three at Eyup Stadium, and that dip in form has come at the wrong time for a team who previously looked fearless on home soil.
The home side’s recent slump has raised questions about fatigue and depth, with Turan needing to rally his players to regain some of the swagger that defined their earlier performances.
Eyupspor were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Kasimpasa in the reverse fixture, and they will be eager to avoid a repeat on their own turf, but having already made history by reaching the top flight, securing a top-half finish would still represent a successful debut campaign.
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Kasimpasa, meanwhile, head into Monday’s clash with slightly more momentum following a 1-1 draw against Trabzonspor.
Burak Yilmaz‘s side were arguably the better team in that game, creating the clearer chances but failing to capitalise on their dominance, though the result extended their unbeaten run at home, their away form continues to be a concern.
The Apaches have lost four of their last five away games in the Super Lig, with their only success on the road in that period coming against Samsunspor, who have struggled for the most part of the last few weeks.
That said, Kasimpasa are not under immediate pressure, sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone with four matches left to play, and a draw or victory here would likely be enough to mathematically confirm their top-flight status for another season, removing any remaining doubt about their safety.
Team News
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Eyupspor will be forced into several changes ahead of this clash, with leading scorer Mame Thiam suspended, meaning Umut Bozok is likely to lead the line in his absence.
In midfield, Dorukhan Tokoz and Taras Stepanenko are expected to start, filling in for Luccas Claro and Yalcin Kayan, who are both suspended following disciplinary offences.
The hosts are also without Fredrik Midtsjo, Sinan Gumus, Taskin Ilter and Erdem Gokce through injury, although none of that quartet were likely to feature from the outset.
Kasimpasa are also dealing with a few enforced absences, with central defender Nicholas Opoku ruled out, allowing Yasin Ozcan to come into the back line.
In midfield, Aytac Kara is set to return to the starting XI in place of the injured Gokhan Gul, while Sadik Ciftpinar, Antonin Barak, Josip Brekalo and Can Keles remain sidelined.
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Tokoz, Yalcin, Vezo, Meras, Erkin; Kabasakal, Stepanenko, Bingol; Ampem, Bozok, Mor
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Espinoza, Ozcan, Piatkowski, Rodrigues; Hajradinovic, Kara, Cafu; Ouanes, Costa, Fall
We say: Eyupspor 1-2 Kasimpasa
Eyupspor will be without three key starters through suspension, a blow that disrupts their structure and rhythm, and with Kasimpasa finding their rhythm in recent weeks, we expect them to capitalise on that.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
