Fatih Karagumruk have little to play for when they welcome relegation-threatened Antalyaspor to Vefa Stadium on Saturday.

Andrea Pirlo's men are mid-table in the Super Lig, with four places separating them from this weekend's visitors in the standings.

Match preview

Karagumruk are not suffering the ignominy of relegation this season or destined to battle for the top-three spots in the Super Lig.

Perhaps this has affected performances and results in the league of late, with Pirlo's side struggling for rhythm and consistency.

The Istanbul outfit have won two of their last five league games, although they have experienced only one defeat in that period.

They continue to score goals, finding the back of the net 11 times in recent gameweeks, but have let in nine at the other end in five fixtures.

That is the biggest threat to a high standing in the league at the campaign's denouement and what Pirlo's side must battle if they are to rise to eighth place at the end of this round.

Antalyaspor, on the other hand, have won just one of their last five league matches, failing to keep a clean sheet in those games and playing out two draws and as many losses.

Their road form leaves much to be desired and probably explains why Nuri Sahin's team find themselves three places and six points above the danger line.

Without a win away from Antalya since late October, the Scorpions could go 10 without a victory on their travels if the weekend's game goes awry.

Three defeats preceded that 2-0 success at Sivasspor on October 31, highlighting a wretched record of one win in 13 road games or just two in 14 all season.

With Hatayspor no longer competing in this season's competition, Sahin's men — whose home form is the ninth-best in the league — have the joint-worst away record in the Turkish top flight, and it is no surprise they are in a precarious position.

Team News

Otabek Shukurov should return to the Karagumruk lineup after missing last week's 3-3 draw with Galatasaray.

Pirlo might give Adnan Ugur a rare start in midfield, with Matteo Ricci doubtful, Andrea Bertolacci substituted last weekend and Lawrence Nicholas suspended.

Efe Tatli, Efecan Mizrakci and Emre Tintis are sidelined and not expected to feature.

Emrecan Uzunhan was withdrawn in Antalyaspor's defeat by Sivasspor and may not return to action this weekend.

Fedor Kudryashov has not played since mid-January, and the left-back is still absent from Sahin's squad.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Sen; Biraschi, Dresevic, Baniya, Mercan; Ozdoef, Ugur, Shukurov; Lobzhanidze, Diagne, Borini

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Leite; Balci, Toprak, Sari, Vural; Fernando, Akyol; Ndao, Larsson, Sinik; Wright

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 3-1 Antalyaspor

Pirlo's men have averaged 2.4 goals at home in their last five matches in Fatih, so goalscoring is not an issue for Karagumruk.

They are likely to concede at the other end but should have too much firepower for Antalyaspor in what could be a high-scoring encounter.


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