Preview:Antalyaspor vs Caykur Rizespor - prediction, team news, lineups

Antalyaspor seek a response from last weekend’s setback in Istanbul as they welcome Caykur Rizespor to Antalya Stadium on Friday for round eight of the Turkish Super Lig.

The Scorpions fell to a 2-0 defeat at Fenerbahce, while the visitors also stumbled in their previous outing which ended in a home loss against Kasimpasa.

Match preview

Antalyaspor held their ground during the first half at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Sunday but resilience waned after conceding from a controversial penalty in the 65th-minute, before another setback arrived deep into stoppage time.

Head coach Emre Belozoglu voiced concern with the concession of chances through individual mistakes, as goalkeeper Julian Cuesta was forced into 11 saves, while lamenting the failure to take a golden opportunity just before the interval.

A winless run of two matches now lingers for Antalyaspor, having been pegged back in the dying minutes against Kayserispor a week earlier, with a 2-1 success at Samsunspor standing as the only victory in the last five games (D1, L3).

Belozoglu’s side had launched the 2024-25 campaign in fine fashion by defeating Kasimpasa and Genclerbirligi in the opening two rounds, yet recent struggles leave Akrepler ninth with 10 points from seven games, with seven goals scored and eight conceded.

Antalyaspor now chase a return to winning ways on home soil after falling short in their last two appearances at Antalya Stadium, suffering defeat against Fatih Karagumruk before being held by Kayserispor.

Rizespor will aim to exploit that faltering home form, though their last visit to this ground ended in a 2-1 defeat, which remains the only blemish in five competitive meetings with Antalyaspor (D1, W3).

Like the hosts, Karadeniz Atmacası step into Friday’s contest without a win in the last two outings, as a 1-1 draw at basement side Kocaelispor was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Kasimpasa at the weekend.

Giannis Papanikolaou levelled matters shortly after the break, but the effort proved futile as İlhan Palut’s side were undone by Mortadha Ben Ouanes’s late strike, bringing a third loss of the campaign.

Victories have proved scarce for Rizespor this season, with their only triumph coming against newly promoted Genclerbirligi, and five points from six games leaves Karadeniz Atmacasi 13th in the standings.

Palut’s side have not built a strong reputation on the road either, with no wins in three away games this season (D2, L1) and just one success in the last nine stretching back to last term (L6).

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Midfielder Abdulkadir Omur was forced off in the first half against Fenerbahce and remains doubtful for Antalyaspor’s clash this weekend.

The hosts are still without Bahadir Ozturk, Huseyin Turkmen, Dario Saric and Veysel Sari due to muscle injuries, while Erdogan Yesilyurt continues his lengthy rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament issue.

Summer signing Nikola Storm remains the most potent outlet in attack, having had a hand in three of Rizespor’s seven goals this season with two strikes and an assist.

Rizespor also face fitness concerns of their own, as Ibrahim Olawoyin was forced off late against Kasimpasa just nine minutes after coming on, leaving his availability in doubt even if cleared.

Centre-back Khusniddin Alikulov is also ruled out for this encounter as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.

Palut was recently critical of Ali Sowe, who is yet to find the net this season despite six starts, leaving doubts over whether the striker will retain his place after being withdrawn at half-time last weekend.

Meanwhile, Emrecan Bulut is pushing for a starting role after making an impact off the bench last time out, providing the assist for Papanikolaou’s equaliser.

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:

Julian; Paal, Dzhikiya, Giannetti, Balci; Dikmen, Ceesay; Ballet, Safouri, Storm; Van de Streek

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Sahin, Mocsi, Sagnan, Hojer; Papanikolaou, Pala; Bulut, Laci, Augusto; Dervisoglu

We say: Antalyaspor 2-1 Caykur Rizespor

Both teams have looked fragile in recent weeks, but Antalyaspor carry the edge with home advantage, and considering victory was claimed the last time these sides met at Antalya Stadium, the hosts are tipped to edge this one again.

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