With a Europa League spot still within reach, Istanbul Basaksehir will aim to pile pressure on the team above them when they welcome bottom-of-the-table Adana Demirspor on Sunday.
The hosts currently sit fifth in the Turkish Super Lig standings with 54 points, five adrift of fourth-placed Besiktas with two games remaining.
Match preview
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Istanbul Basaksehir have emerged as the primary beneficiaries of the additional European qualification berth, which opened up following Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup triumph over Trabzonspor.
What initially seemed a disappointing campaign, derailed by a 10-game winless streak across all competitions between October and November, could now end with the Grey Owls securing successive seasons of continental football.
Cagdas Atan‘s men have guaranteed at least a place in the UEFA Conference League by securing fifth spot, sitting four points clear of sixth-placed Eyupspor, who have only one fixture remaining.
That said, a late push for fourth is not out of the question, and should Basaksehir win both of their remaining matches, while Besiktas lose theirs, the Grey Owls would leapfrog into the final Europa League spot.
Their 3-2 away win over Kasimpasa last weekend has given them momentum, and they will now face both ends of the spectrum to close out the season, against the league’s worst side, Adana Demirspor, followed by champions Galatasaray.
Anything less than three points at home to a struggling Adana side would be viewed as a major letdown, particularly as Basaksehir are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the sides, winning four of those.
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On the other hand, Adana Demirspor’s season has descended into disarray, with their latest outing resulting in a 5-0 thrashing by fellow relegated outfit Hatayspor.
The Blue Lightnings have now equalled the all-time Super Lig record for most defeats in a single campaign (28), a mark previously set by Kardemir Karabukspor in the 2017-18 season, while that result also extended their losing streak to nine games and their winless run in the league to 18 matches.
To make matters worse, Adana are closing in on another unwanted record, having conceded 88 goals this term, just three shy of Adanaspor’s all-time record of 91 goals shipped in a season back in 2000-01.
However, there remains one piece of ignominy they can avoid, as they have just two victories all season, the joint-fewest in Super Lig history, but can still spare themselves from that record, should they manage a win in their final two games.
Team News
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Deniz Dilmen is expected to start between the sticks for Basaksehir, with first-choice goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer serving a suspension.
Atan opted for a three-man defence in the recent clash with Kasimpasa and, pleased with the display, is likely to retain the same setup.
Up front, Philippe Keny is the most likely candidate to partner Krzysztof Piatek in attack, with the polish striker (21 goals) looking to catch Gala’s Victor Osimhen (25 goals) in the race for the Golden Boot.
Abdulsamet Burak and Bunyamin Balat are expected to start at centre-back and right-wing respectively for Adana, with Tolga Kalender and Ali Yavuz Kol both sidelined through injury.
Andreaw Gravillon, Izzet Celik, Salih Kavrazli and Aksel Aktas also remain unavailable due to injury and suspension.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Dilmen; Ba, Duarte, Opoku; Sari, Gunes, Crespo, Kemen, Operi; Keny, Piatek
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Donmezer; Kaynak, Burak, Ersoy, Kurtulan; Alioui, Maestro, Barasi, Balat; Aymbetov Fougeu
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 4-0 Adana Demirspor
With Basaksehir chasing a Europa League spot and Adana enduring a historically poor season, this clash is heavily tilted in favour of the hosts.
The Grey Owls should have little trouble dispatching a side low on confidence, extending their unbeaten run against the visitors with a comfortable home victory on Sunday.
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