Preview: Hatayspor vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

A six-game unbeaten run in the Turkish Super Lig has helped Istanbul Basaksehir climb to sixth in the table and only two points behind fourth-placed Fenerbahce.

On Sunday, Emre Belozoglu's side travel to third-placed Hatayspor, who are looking to bounce back after recording their fourth defeat of the league campaign last weekend.

Match preview

Hatayspor edged through to the next round of the Turkish Cup on Wednesday, after drawing 1-1 with Eyupspor, with Abdullah Yigiter and Yavuz Bugra Boyar both seeing red late at the end of the 90 minutes and end of extra time.

Omer Erdogan's side managed to win 5-4 on penalties but it was far from convincing against a second-tier side, and that followed up a heavy defeat last weekend in the Super Lig.

Hatayspor came away from Sivasspor having been beaten 4-0 by the 14th-placed team, and not only did the scoreline represent a thrashing, but Erdogan's side only managed one shot in the game which was not on target.

That performance could be argued as Hatayspor's worst this season, and they will need to be much improved on Sunday if they are to beat an in-form Istanbul Basaksehir.

This weekend's visitors are on their best run of the campaign so far, but that did not stop third-tiered Belediyesi Bodrumspor from knocking Belozoglu's side out of the Turkish Cup on Tuesday.

That game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and went all the way to penalties at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu, when the home team were defeated 3-1 from the spot kicks.

Basaksehir recorded their first draw in the league last Friday as they were unable to convert any of their 17 chances on goal against Altay, who earned a goalless draw despite being dominated by Belozoglu's side.

Istanbul Basaksehir have only won twice on their travels so far this campaign, but those two victories did come in their last two away outings and confidence will be high in the visitors' camp.

Hatayspor completed the league double over Basaksehir last season, with their most recent meeting ending in an emphatic 5-1 victory for Erdogan's side back in January.

Team News

Hatayspor left-back Bulent Cevahir and centre-midfielder Onur Ergun continue to be sidelined due to injury and they will not be present in the home side's matchday squad on Sunday.

Midfielder Ruben Ribeiro has started all 14 league games so far this season but he will be unavailable this weekend after being shown two yellow cards against Sivasspor.

An attacking four of Ayoub El Kaabi, Adama Traore, Saba Lobzhanidze and Mame Biram Diouf is certain to line up from the start for the hosts, with 17 goals between them this season.

Istanbul Basaksehir centre-back Youssouf Ndayishimiye is also suspended for this fixture after he was given his marching orders in extra time of the side's cup defeat, meaning that Leo Duarte is likely to start with Alexandru Epureanu in the heart of the back line.

Goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer replaced Volkan Babacan between the posts last time out and he is expected to start again on Sunday after keeping a clean sheet against Altay.

Striker Stefano Okaka is Istanbul Basaksehir's top goalscorer this season, having netted seven times in 11 appearances, and he got his first away goal of the campaign during his side's last match on the road which he will be looking to add to this weekend.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Munir; Adekugbe, Oksuz, Kurucuk, Corekci; Boudjemaa, Sackey; Kaabi, Traore, Lobzhanidze; Diouf

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Kaldirim, Epureanu, Duarte, Sahiner; Cigerci; Chadli, Ozcan, Tekdemir, Gulbrandsen; Okaka

We say: Hatayspor 0-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

Both sides had draining outings in midweek, playing lower league opposition and going all the way to penalties, which may play a factor in Sunday's outing making it a low-scoring affair.

Istanbul Basaksehir, though, are in brilliant form and that could be the slight difference this weekend to help the visitors just edge this one.

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