Istanbul Basaksehir will be aiming to keep their winning streak alive and avenge their heavy defeat from earlier this season when they welcome Gaziantep to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Sunday.
With both sides still harbouring faint top-four hopes in the Turkish Super Lig, this clash could prove decisive in shaping the league's European picture.
Match preview
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It has been a season of ups and downs for Basaksehir under the guidance of Cagdas Atan, but they have turned a corner in recent weeks.
Their 2-0 triumph away to Besiktas last time out was a performance that perfectly embodied Atan's philosophy, showing defensive discipline, and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
That win marked their third league victory on the bounce, a run that has propelled them to sixth in the table with 45 points, and with fourth-placed Eyupspor just five points ahead having played a game more, the Grey Owls know the door to Europe is still very much ajar.
Recent form suggests the hosts are peaking at the right time, but consistency at home remains a slight concern, as they have alternated between wins and defeats in their last five league outings on home soil, a pattern Atan will be desperate to break on Sunday, having won their last game at this ground against Konyaspor.
Still, history is firmly on their side, as Basaksehir have lost just one of their last 12 home encounters against Gaziantep, winning nine, including each of the last three.
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For Gaziantep, the three points picked up in their 2-1 win over Hatayspor were invaluable, but that came at a significant cost, as the visitors lost key personnel through injury and suspension.
Gaz currently sit just one place and three points behind Basaksehir, while they also have a game in hand over fourth-placed Eyupspor, who are eight points ahead.
However, their away form has been a big issue all season, as Gaziantep have claimed just two wins from 14 league outings on the road this term and only one in their last 13.
Their tally of away points (nine) is the third-lowest in the division, and although the visitors did beat Basaksehir 3-0 in the reverse fixture, replicating that result in Istanbul looks a tall order given the form of their hosts.
Team News
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Basaksehir will be without Onur Ergun, who has picked up an injury and was not expected to start regardless.
Despite being fully fit, Deniz Turuc is likely to begin on the bench once again, with Yusuf Sari continuing in the starting XI after a string of impressive performances.
Ivan Trnic, who caught the eye with a strong display against Besiktas, is expected to retain his place on the left flank.
Gaziantep are dealing with several enforced changes, as Sokratis Dioudis and Bruno Viana are expected to step in for the injured Burak Bozan and suspended Arda Kizildag respectively.
Emre Tasdemir is also set to start, covering for Anel Husic who misses out due to suspension, while Christopher Lungoyi and Kacper Kozlowski are available again after serving their bans.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Sahiner, Duarte, Ba, Operi; Ozdemir, Crespo, Kemen; Brnic, Piatek, Sari
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Dioudis; Tasdemir, Guler, Viana, Sorescu; Ndiaye, Maxim; Boateng, Kozlowski, Lungoyi; Dervisoglu
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Gaziantep
With momentum on their side and a strong historical home record against Gaziantep, Basaksehir will be confident of extending their winning streak.
Gaziantep's poor away form and personnel issues further tilt the balance in the hosts' favour, and if Atan's side adopt the pragmatic and efficient approach once again, we expect a win for the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
