The final fixture of the Turkish Super Lig round 32 sees Alanyaspor host Samsunspor on Monday evening, with pressure mounting on both sides to end their respective losing streaks.
Survival is the only thing that matters to the hosts, who have slumped into the relegation zone following a dreadful run of form, while the visitors arrive still clinging on to third place despite faltering momentum.
Match preview
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Alanyaspor enter this contest in dire straits after suffering their fifth consecutive league defeat, a dismal run capped by last weekend's shock 1-0 home loss to Bodrumspor and plunged the club further into trouble.
The last four defeats have all come by narrow margins, but the inability to grind out results has been costly, with the hosts now three points behind safety on 31 points, and time is fast running out to reverse the slide.
There will be some hope, however, as they head into Monday's fixture, with Alanyaspor edging the head-to-head top flight history against the visitors, having never lost to Samsunspor in the Super Lig, and they won the only previous home meeting between the sides at this level.
Still, it is difficult to ignore their recent woes at the Bahcesehir Okullari Stadium, as the Mediterranean outfit have lost their last two home matches and three out of the last four, looking increasingly anxious on their ground, with an atmosphere that has mirrored the team's lack of urgency.
If Alanyaspor are to mount any sort of great escape, it must start here, as three points could lift them out of the drop zone depending on other results, but more importantly, it could serve as a turning point in a season that has been steadily unravelling.
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Samsunspor, too, come into this clash with problems of their own, with the 2-0 defeat to Galatasaray last weekend underlining the issues currently plaguing Thomas Reis's side, particularly a lack of energy and attacking cohesion.
The loss marked their third defeat in a row and fourth straight game without a win, and with the business end of the season underway, alarm bells are ringing.
Despite sitting third in the table, the Red Lightning are looking vulnerable, and are now only one point clear of fourth-placed Eyupspor and three ahead of fifth-placed Besiktas, who still have a game in hand.
The pressure is starting to mount, and this squad, which has punched above its weight for most of the season, is beginning to show signs of fatigue.
While they have generally been more compact away from home, recent showings suggest they are struggling to manage the pace and demands of the season's run-in, having gone winless in their last three matches on the road, drawing twice and losing once.
Team News
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Alanyaspor have a few changes going into this crucial match, as Buluthan Bulut is injured and will not be available, though he was not expected to start.
On a positive note, Florent Hadergjonaj is fully fit and will return to the starting lineup, while Efecan Karaca is also back in the squad after serving a suspension and is expected to start.
For Samsunspor, they will be without Marc Bola who is injured, so Soner Gonul will come in at left-back.
In midfield, Celil Yuksel is injured, and Carlo Holse will take his place in a deeper role, while Flavien Tait is set to start in place of Youssef Bennasser, who is also ruled out through injury.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Aksoy, Aliti, Balkovec; Ozdemir, Richard, Janvier, Hadergjonaj; Vilhena, Makouta; Cordova
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Gonul; Holse, Ait Bennasser; Muja, Kilinic, Schindler, Mouandilmadji
We say: Alanyaspor 1-1 Samsunspor
Both teams are out of form and lacking confidence, with Alanyaspor on a five-game losing streak and Samsunspor winless in four, which is why we expect a cautious, low-risk approach that may lead to a frustrating draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
