Preview: Altay vs. Caykur Rizespor - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides currently in the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone will face off on Friday when Altay welcome Caykur Rizespor to the Alsancak Mustafa Denizli Stadium.

The hosts will be aiming to claim consecutive victories after a 2-0 win last time out, while Caykur Rizespor will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat in their most recent fixture.

Match preview

Serkan Ozbalta's reign as Altay manager started in style as he oversaw a 2-0 away victory against Goztepe to end a 10-game winless run in all competitions.

Deniz Kadah gave Altay the lead from the spot in the 42nd minute before Thaciano struck just after the break to wrap up the three points.

The victory leaves the hosts five points adrift of safety, and their next challenge will be to end a run of four consecutive home defeats.

Altay currently hold the second-worst home record in the league, with goalscoring proving to be a particular problem at home.

They have scored the fewest home goals in the Turkish Super Lig this season and having failed to score in their last two home games, Ozbalta will need his side to improve in the final third if they are to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

Meanwhile, Caykur Rizespor enter the contest a point above their opponents, but they also find themselves in the relegation zone.

On Sunday, Hamza Hamzaoglu's troops ended up on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline as a Mario Balotelli brace and Birkir Bjarnason strike helped Adana Demirspor to a comfortable victory despite Yusuf Sari scoring a late consolation.

That defeat prolongs Caykur Rizespor's poor run of form with their previous seven games yielding just one win.

With four points separating them from safety, Hamazaoglu's side will be eyeing their first away victory when they face Altay on Friday.

The away form has been Caykur Rizespor's downfall this season, with Friday's visitors currently holding the worst away record in the Turkish Super Lig having collected just two away points this term.

Team News

Cesar Pinares and Ceyhun Gulselam will both return to the squad after missing Sunday's victory due to suspension.

Despite their return, Pinares and Gulselam may have to settle for places on the bench, with Altay set to name an unchanged lineup following their impressive performance at the weekend.

Kadah scored his first league goal of the season in the weekend win over Goztepe and the 35-year-old will look to find the net once again when he starts up front on Friday.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon the services of Loic Remy, who is absent due to a hamstring injury.

Sari and Yannick Bolasie were both introduced at half time against Adana Demirspor and the pair could come into the starting lineup for Friday's contest.

Gedson Fernandes is also a candidate to start after making his debut as a second-half substitute on Sunday.

Altay possible starting lineup:

Lis; Unlu, Bjorkander, Akca, Ozkaya; Yildirim, Thaciano, Rodriguez; Kappel, Karatas, Kadah

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Gorgen; Gonul, Ay, Holmen, Sertel; Boldrin, Sabo, Fernandes, Bolasie; Pohjanpalo, Sari

We say: Altay 2-1 Caykur Rizespor

Altay would leapfrog their opponents with a victory on Friday, and with Caykur Rizespor struggling to pick up points on the road this season, we think that the hosts will clinch the three points to start Ozbalta's reign with consecutive victories.