Alanyaspor will continue to try and push away from the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone on Sunday when they host Adana Demirspor.
The visitors might sit five places above their opponents this weekend, but are also in need of three points after going nine games in all competitions without a win heading into this fixture.
Match preview
Alanyaspor have found the 2023-24 campaign to be a difficult one, and much like how they finished last season, the club is currently sitting just above the relegation zone.
Only a point separates them and the bottom four at the moment, meaning the pressure is truly on Fatih Tekke and his men to pick up a result this weekend.
Tekke will be hoping to see a similar performance from their most recent outing where they managed to earn a hard-fought draw against second-placed Fenerbahce, which showcased the fighting spirit within the team.
Alanyaspor conceded two goals in 10 minutes at the start of the second half in that game as their one-goal lead was canceled out, but Loide Augusto was on hand to score again to earn them a crucial point.
That result highlighted positive signs within the team, at least from a spirit perspective, and repeating that type of effort this weekend is the minimum that their fans will expect.
That is something the visitors will be wary of, especially since they are yet to win a game since the turn of the year which has obviously knocked their confidence.
The difficult run of form that Demirspor are in right now has seen them drop down the table, and while they are five places above their opponents this weekend, just one result could drag them into a fight for their safety.
There are currently only three points between the two teams, but the away side will take some confidence from the difficult season that Alanyaspor are having from a defensive perspective.
Only one team outside of the relegation zone has conceded more goals than them at this point in the campaign, and that is something that Hikmet Karaman will aim to exploit.
However, his biggest focus will be on trying to guide Demirspor to their first away win of the season in the Turkish Super Lig, form that they desperately need to fix if they wish to remain away from the relegation battle.
Team News
Auguston will be expecting to retain his position in the Alanyaspor starting XI, fresh from scoring a brace last weekend.
Otherwise, the hosts have a fit and healthy squad which gives Tekke plenty of options to tinker with, but the same team that picked up a point against Fenerbahce could be used.
The visitors were boosted by the return of Yusuf Sari during their most recent performance, making an appearance from the bench after a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
While it remains to be seen if the striker is fit enough to play from the first whistle, Demirspor could still look to Abat Aimbetov to lead the line.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Balkovec, Aliti, Lima, Hadergjonaj; Fer, Richard; Aydin, Novais, Augusto; Karaca
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Mahammadaliyev; Tokoz, Cisse, Cisse, Dursun; Gravillon, Michut; Nani, Stambouli, Erdogan; Aimbetov
We say: Alanyaspor 2-1 Adana Demirspor
Adana Demirspor might be further up the table at the moment, but the fact they have not won a single away match all season and are in poor form could be costly for them.
That is something that Alanyaspor will attempt to exploit, largely because a victory could help them push away from the relegation battle ever so slightly.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
