Fighting for survival in the Turkish Super Lig, relegation-threatened Bodrumspor will travel to face Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Sedir Stadium on Sunday.
The Anadolu Yildizi will be looking to bounce back from their defeat last time out, while the visitors will be desperate for their first win in five games.
Match preview
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Sergej Jakirovic‘s Kayserispor are comfortably clear of the drop thanks to an impressive seven-match unbeaten run between the end of March and mid-May that featured five wins and two draws.
However, the Anatolu Yildizi were beaten 3-0 by champions Galatasaray last weekend, a fixture that will be remembered as the game in which goalkeeper Fernando Muslera scored an 89th-minute penalty.
That defeat saw Jakirovic’s side drop down to 11th in the table, where their 44 points has them eight above their opponents in the relegation zone, but 10 behind fifth-placed Istanbul Basaksehir in the European spots.
As they aim to get back to winning ways in the penultimate match of the campaign, the hosts will draw confidence from their impressive seven-game winning streak at the Kadir Has Sedir Stadium ahead of this clash, a commendable home record that includes four clean sheets.
Three points on Sunday would be enough to take Kayserispor up to ninth in the table, where they could even go level with eighth-placed Goztepe and seventh-placed Trabzonspor after leapfrogging both Konyaspor and Kasimpasa in a best-case scenario.
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Meanwhile, Jose Morais‘s Bodrumspor are clinging to life in the Super Lig after avoiding defeat in three of their last five matches, though they are in desperate need of points having only won once in their last seven.
Last weekend, the visitors picked up what could be an important point in a 1-1 draw with Trabzonspor, and while they did surrender the lead that Taylan Antalyali brought them early on, the manager will be accepting of the stalemate considering the disparity in league position between the clubs.
That result brought Morais’s men up to 16th after Sivasspor lost their game, and the point they earned has taken them to within three of 15th-placed Alanyaspor, the first team safe from the drop.
With two matches remaining, it is notable that Bodrumspor’s travelling record is significantly better than their home form, and given that they have won three, drawn two and lost just one of their last six league games on the road, they will be hopeful of adding to their tally this weekend.
The visitors’ 10th victory of the season could put them level on 39 points with Alanyaspor to set up a tense final day, though their inferior goal difference may put Morais’s side at a disadvantage.
Team News
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Kayserispor are set to be without goalkeeper Bilal Bayazit this weekend as he serves a suspension for accumulating yellow cards, and Onurcan Piri should take his place between the sticks.
The Anadolu Yildizi will also miss midfielder Yaw Ackah, who is expected to be ready for action early next month.
In his absence, Ali Karimi and Kartal Kayra Yilmaz should start in the centre of the park, with Mehdi Bourabia operating behind the strikers.
As for Bodrumspor, they will welcome Taulant Seferi back into the squad on Sunday, though Ahmet Aslan is likely to make the XI alongside Taylan Antalyali and Fredy in Morais’s midfield.
Elsewhere, right wing-back Uzeyir Ergun is a doubt for this clash after being taken off with an injury against Trabzonspor, and winger Pedro Brazao could step in temporarily for him if needed.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazadagi, Hosseini, Attamah, Carole; Karimi, Yilmaz; Civelek, Bourabia, Cardoso; Nazon
Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:
Sousa; Ergun, Ajeti, Herelle, Aytemur, Sen; Fredy, Antalyali, Aslan; Bayrakdar, Bardhi
We say: Kayserispor 1-1 Bodrumspor
Kayserispor have been impressive on their own turf in recent weeks, and they are unlikely to lose this weekend.
On the other hand, while Bodrumspor may be in poor form overall, their travelling record is commendable, so expect to see a close-fought contest on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
