Alanyaspor and Fatih Karagumruk are separated by just three points in the Turkish Super Lig table as they prepare to do battle at the Kirbiyik Holding Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts lead Andrea Pirlo's Karagumruk after 18 games, although both sides remain closer to the relegation zone than the European places ahead of this key mid-table clash.
Match preview
Alanyaspor were dumped out of the Turkish Cup by Galatasaray earlier this week, as Francesco Farioli's men suffered a 2-1 defeat to the 18-time winners in the round of 16.
It is worth remembering, however, that Tuesday's loss came just a week after Alanyaspor thrashed Trabzonspor 5-0 in the league, courtesy of goals from Efecan Karaca, Wilson Eduardo and Yusuf Ozdemir, as well as a brace from Ahmed Mahgoub.
Having claimed another impressive home victory before the turn of the year – beating Kayserispor 3-1 – the Alanya outfit have won four of their previous five league clashes at the Kirbiyik Holding Stadium, scoring 13 goals in the process.
In fact, Farioli's side have turned their backyard into something of a fortress this season, suffering a solitary defeat across nine home matches in the Super Lig.
Following a shaky start to the campaign, Alanyaspor have only lost three of their past 12 games in all competitions, and they will be confident of avoiding defeat when Karagumruk come to town this weekend.
© Reuters
Karagumruk were also knocked out of the Turkish Cup earlier this week, as Istanbul Basaksehir claimed a penalty shootout victory in Esenyurt following an eventful 2-2 draw.
Although Karagumruk will be disappointed to have suffered elimination from the cup on Wednesday, they can now focus all of their energy on steering further clear of the Super Lig relegation zone, with only a handful of points between them and the bottom four.
Pirlo's men have taken significant strides towards securing top-flight survival in recent weeks, chalking up a four-game unbeaten streak in the league to raise spirits within the camp.
After crushing Trabzonspor 4-1, the Istanbul outfit secured a 4-2 victory over Kayserispor before recording back-to-back draws with Konyaspor and Kasimpasa, equalling their longest unbeaten run this season.
Still, Karagumruk will be eager to improve their record on the road, having won just two of their nine Super Lig games away from home this season.
Team News
Alanyaspor's Yunus Bahadir and Famara Diedhiou remain sidelined due to injury, although both players are expected to make a return to first-team action in the foreseeable future.
Following his brace against Trabzonspor, Mahgoub has netted five goals across the previous four Super Lig matches, taking his tally for the season to eight goals in 13 league outings.
As for Karagumruk, they will be without the injured duo Efecan Mizrakci and Efe Tatli on Sunday, while Emir Tintis is a doubt after missing the previous eight matches.
Fabio Borini has racked up 10 goals and seven assists in the league this term, while Mbaye Diagne has bagged 10 goals and three assists, so Diagne will join Borini in attack after serving his suspension in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Kasimpasa.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Aksoy, Bayir, Balkovec; Ferhat, Gunes, Lusamba, Pereira; Karaca, Bekiroglu; Mahgoub
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Sen; Biraschi, Baniya, Dresevic, Mercan; Shukurov, Ricci, Ozdoyev; Colley, Diagne, Borini
We say: Alanyaspor 2-2 Fatih Karagumruk
Having netted 38 goals in 18 games, Karagumruk are among the Super Lig's top scorers this season, but they have also conceded 37, meaning they have the worst defensive record in the division.
Pirlo's side will be confident of extending their four-game unbeaten streak on Sunday, but Alanyaspor's home record is one of the best in the league, so we could see a high-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
