Preview: Fatih Karagumruk vs. Sivasspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Only a point separates Fatih Karagumruk and Sivasspor in the Super Lig table ahead of their meeting at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts will be looking for a response after losing 3-0 last time out, while Sivasspor will be aiming to collect consecutive league victories.

Match preview

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Fatih Karagumruk enter the weekend in 12th place, but spirits may be low in the home dressing room after losing four of their last six league games.

They fell to a disappointing 3-0 away defeat against Antalyaspor last weekend, with goals from Fernando, Fyodor Kudryashov and Admir Mehmedi helping the hosts to a comfortable victory.

That heavy loss means that Fatih Karagumruk have now conceded 11 goals in their previous three away matches, so they will be pleased to return to home surroundings on Sunday.

Volkan Demirel's side have lost just once in their last six home games in all competitions, and they can claim consecutive home league victories with a win at the weekend.

Despite only losing three home matches in the Super Lig this season, Sunday's hosts have struggled for victories at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium with just five home league wins this term.

Meanwhile, Sivasspor will be in a confident mood after ending a four-game winless league run when they beat Yeni Malatyaspor last time out.

Despite trailing at half time following Kenan Ozer's opener, Sivasspor still emerged with all three points thanks to goals from Olarenwaju Kayode and Faycal Fajr.

That result leaves Riza Calimbay's side in 11th position, but after finishing in the top five in their last two seasons, Sivasspor will need to start picking up more victories to replicate that feat.

Sunday's visitors will be aiming to claim a fifth away win of the Turkish Super Lig season, and they will be confident of troubling the Fatih Karagumruk backline having found the net in 11 of their 12 away league matches.

No team in the Turkish top flight have conceded more away goals in the first half of games than Sivasspor this season, which will cause Calimbay an element of concern.

Team News

Fatih Karagumruk are likely to be without the services Adnan Ugur, who has missed the last two competitive games through injury.

Karim Frei and Davide Biraschi are also expected to be ruled out due to injury issues, while current Super Lig joint-topscorer Aleksandar Pesic is a doubt after missing Fatih Karagumruk's last four games in all competitions.

Yann Karamoh is expected to lead the line for the hosts with the forward looking to add to the three league goals that he has scored this season.

Meanwhile, Sivasspor are without Mustapha Yatabare who is suspended for Sunday's contest.

Muammer Yildirim has started the last two games in all competitions for Sivasspor, and the goalkeeper is expected to retain his place in the side.

After scoring his fourth league goal of the season against Yeni Malatyaspor, Kayode will keep his place up front for the visitors.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Viviano; Dursun, Luckassen, Zukanovic, Erkin; Bistrovic, Biglia, Toure; Mor, Borini, Karamoh

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Yildirim; Yesilyurt, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Kesgin, Altinay, Fajr; Henrique, Gradel, Kayode

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 1-2 Sivasspor

Sivasspor will be looking to do the league double over Sunday's opponents after cruising to a 4-0 win against Fatih Karagumruk in September, and we think that the visitors will draw inspiration from that performance to edge out their hosts on Sunday.

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