Gaziantep welcome title-chasing Fenerbahce to the Gaziantep Stadium on Saturday, hoping to further dent the visitors' Turkish Super Lig ambition.
While the hosts have found form on their own turf, the Yellow Canaries arrive in need of a response after a deflating 3-3 draw last time out that threw a big wrench in their plan to dethrone Galatasaray.
Match preview
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Gaziantep fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Istanbul Basaksehir in their most recent outing, a result that did not quite reflect their overall performance, having created the better chances across the 90 minutes only to be undone by Basaksehir's ruthless finishing.
At home, however, Gaz have been a different proposition, having now won four league games in a row at the Gaziantep Stadium, a run that has been the backbone of their resurgence in the second half of the campaign, pushing them up to 42 points, just eight adrift of fourth-placed Eyupspor, who have played a game more.
There is real momentum behind the hosts now, and confidence is flowing, with Selcuk Inan instilling a disciplined, energetic style that has seen his side consistently take the game to opponents, leaving them just two points away from matching their points tally from last season with five matches to follow after this.
However, this is undoubtedly Gaziantep's toughest remaining test, having lost to Fenerbahce in their last eight meetings, and this will be the third time they face the Yellow Canaries this season, already losing to them in the Turkish Cup and the Super Lig reverse fixture.
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Fenerbahce's title hopes took a major hit last weekend as they were held to a chaotic 3-3 draw by Kayserispor, conceding a late equaliser deep into stoppage time despite creating over two dozen chances, only for their defensive lapses to cost them once again.
There is now a five-point gap between Jose Mourinho's side and league leaders Galatasaray, with just six matches remaining, with the margin for error narrowing significantly, making anything other than a win here all but end their title challenge, a scenario that would only increase the scrutiny already being levelled at both Mourinho and club president Ali Koc.
While questions remain over Fenerbahce's game management and defensive organisation, their away form has remained a source of strength, as the Yellow Canaries are unbeaten in their last 12 away matches across all competitions, winning eight and drawing four, with their last defeat on the road coming against Besiktas in December.
Fenerbahce have dominated their recent meetings with Gaziantep, but with the tension rising among their supporters, and the hosts' solid home form, this might be the nail in the coffin on their title ambitions.
Team News
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Inan will be forced into a couple of changes this weekend, with Quentin Daubin and Emmanuel Boateng expected to come into the starting XI to deputise for the suspended Kacper Kozlowski and David Okereke respectively.
There is positive news in defence, as Anel Husic has completed his suspension and is set to return to the starting lineup, while Burak Bozan and Arda Kizildag are now fully fit and are likely to be handed starting roles.
Fenerbahce will once again have to manage without Sofyan Amrabat, who remains sidelined through injury.
The visitors continue to be hampered by long-term injuries at the back, with Jayden Oosterwolde and Rodrigo Becao both ruled out for the remainder of the season due to cruciate ligament tears.
Mert Hakan Yandas is also unavailable through injury, although he was not anticipated to feature in the starting XI.
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Dioudis; Husic, Guler, Kizildag, Sorescu; Ndiaye, Daubin; Boateng, Maxim, Lungoyi; Dervisoglu
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Muldur; Skriniar, Carlos, Osayi-Samuel; Fred, Szymanski; Saint-Maximin, Tadic, Talisca; En-Neysri
We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce's dip in morale following their recent stumbles could see them drop more points in a tricky visit to Gaziantep, adding the fact that the hosts have been formidable at home, winning four on the bounce, which is why we fancy the hosts' chances of getting something against a side under pressure.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
