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

Seeking to extend their unbeaten run, Caykur Rizespor will play host to Istanbul Basaksehir at the City of Rize Stadium in round 14 of the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.

The Grey Owls, who have lost their last two away games, will be looking to end this poor run and secure successive league wins for the first time this season.

Match preview

Caykur Rizespor failed to pick up where they left off before the international break as they settled for a goalless draw away at Antalyaspor last time out.

With 18 points from 13 matches, Ilhan Palut's men are currently ninth in the Super Lig standings, level on points with eighth-placed Kasimpasa.

Having won their last home match against Istanbulspor, the Black Sea Sparrowhawk will look to be victorious in successive home fixtures for the first time this season.

However, Caykur Rizespor are winless in their last five home meetings with Basaksehir, losing the last four while failing to score in the last two.

The last time the Rize-based club won a league game against the visitors was in December 2015 and there have been 11 Super Lig meetings between them since then, with Basaksehir winning eight times.

Basaksehir recorded their biggest win of the season so far last time out, thrashing Pendikspor 4-1 to sprinkle some hope in what has been a woeful season up to this point.

Cagdas Atan replaced Emre Belozoglu early in the season after the latter oversaw five losses in the first six games, but he has also struggled to establish consistency with only three wins in 10 matches as they remain in the relegation zone.

A win this weekend could see the Grey Owls leave the bottom four if other results go their way; however, they have lost their last two away games while failing to score in the last five.

After being cup finalists last season and finishing just one place outside the European places, Basaksehir are now one of the favourites to go down.

Team News

Caykur Rizespor remain without Nigerian midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury back in July.

Mithat Pala and Emirhan Topcu are also unavailable for selection as they are both suspended, with Dal Varesanovic expected to replace the former in midfield while Khusniddin Alikulov should come in for the latter in defence.

Meanwhile, the Istanbul team are currently suffering from a number of defensive injuries, with Edgar Ie, Omer Ali Sahiner, and Efe Arda Koyuncu all sidelined.

Danijel Aleksic and Patryk Szysz are also out injured along with goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer, who momentarily kept current number one Volkan Babacan out of the side when he was fit earlier this season.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Pehlivan; Varesanovic, Shelvey; Zeqiri, Olawoyin, Keser; Minchev

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Babacan; Dubois, Leo Duarte, Opoku, Sertel; Turuc, Ozcan, Figueiredo; IIkhan; Piatek, Abeid

We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-0 Istanbul Basaksehir

Caykur Rizespor have been decent at home this season while Basaksehir have struggled on the road.

Due to lack of consistency from Atan's men this season, we fancy the home side to edge this contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.