Two sides in desperate need of a win will face off this weekend as Antalyaspor welcome Samsunspor to Corendon Airlines Park for a Super Lig encounter on Saturday evening.
The hosts are currently in 15th place with just three points after their five matches of the season, while the visitors are second-bottom with just one point, although they do have a game in hand against most of the sides above them.
Match preview
Antalyaspor ended the 2022-23 Super Lig season on 41 points in 36 matches, leaving them just one point clear of the drop and based on their early season form this term, they are likely to find themselves battling relegation unless they can find some rhythm in their play.
The hosts took the lead through Adam Buksa against Fenerbahce last weekend but were unable to hang on to what would have been their first win of the season and eventually lost the match 3-2.
That result extended their recent poor run of results to five matches without a win since the start of the league campaign, while they also failed to win any of their last five preseason matches, meaning they are now winless in their last 10 in all competitions.
The only positive that Nuri Sahin can take from what has been an uninspiring start is that his side have avoided defeat in their first two home games this season, drawing 1-1 to both Konyaspor and Kayserispor last month.
However, against a newly promoted opposition here, Antalyaspor will be looking for an improved performance, and we can expect them to throw caution to the wind in search of their first victory of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Samsunspor had an excellent season in the TFF First League last term, where they ran out as league winners with 78 points in 36 matches, 10 clear of their closest contenders, Rizespor.
However, since reaching the top flight, things have not gone as they would have hoped, as they have only managed to secure one point from their first four matches, which came on the opening weekend against Sivasspor.
Since then, the visitors were beaten 2-0 by Fenerbahce, 2-1 by Kayserispor and 4-2 by the defending champions Galatasaray last weekend after going down 3-0 inside the first period of the match.
While those results do not inspire much confidence in their chances in this one, it is worth pointing out that Huseyin Eroglu's side have faced a tricky run of fixtures that included the reigning champions and last season's runners-up already.
Samsunspor will see this as an excellent opportunity to get their league season back on track, but they will need to ensure they do not go behind too early or they will likely find it difficult to reel in their opponents on their home patch.
- L
- D
- D
- D
- L
Team News
The hosts have three injury concerns heading into the match, with Gerrit Holtmann, Zymer Bytyqi and Jakub Kaluzinski flagged as doubts to feature in this match.
Buksa's brace against Fenerbahce should be enough to see him retain his spot in attack, while Sam Larsson should continue in the number 10 role just behind him.
Samsunspor, on the other hand, have two confirmed absentees for this encounter, with Taylan Antalyali and Olivier Ntcham both out with muscle injuries and only expected to return to action next month.
Landry Dimata and Carlo Holse were on the scoresheet against Gala and should keep their places in the side, while Emre Kilinc and Moryke Fofana are expected to start in attacking midfield.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Leite; Balci, Sari, Toprak, Vural; Rakip, Van de Streek, Saric, Yesilyurt, Larsson; Buksa
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Cift, Van Drongelen, Bola; Schindler, Tait, Aydogdu, Holse; Kilinc, Fofana; Dimata
We say: Antalyaspor 1-1 Samsunspor
This is a crucial game for both teams, and we could see lots of chances created with both side's defence being far from solid this season. We are expecting a real dogfight here but feel that both sides will have to settle for a share of the spoils in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
