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

Caykur Rizespor and Yeni Malatyaspor meet in Super Lig on Sunday with the two clubs occupying positions in the relegation zone.

While the visitors hold a one-point advantage, both teams are desperately in need of a victory to keep in close proximity to 16th position.

Match preview

Having lost eight of their opening nine league fixtures, Caykur Rizespor were quickly written off as effectively being relegated before a quarter of the season had been played.

However, four victories from seven games has changed that perception, the Black Sea Sparrowhawk now within five points of moving outside of the drop zone.

Recently-appointed boss Hamza Hamzaoglu knows that their survival bid is still in its infancy, but another success over one of their rivals will hand Rizespor a further boost before Christmas.

Each of their four wins have been recorded at the Yeni Rize Sehir Stadium, the latest of those victories coming against 18th-placed Goztepe SK.

Joel Pohjanpalo made a welcome return to the scoresheet during that game, the Finland international's double representing his first contribution since October 3.

As far as Yeni Malatyaspor are concerned, they felt like that had turned a corner when earning goalless draws against Galatasaray and Konyaspor.

However, they were well beaten by Alanyaspor last time out, letting slip an early 2-1 advantage to eventually succumb by a 6-2 scoreline.

Despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men, they had already conceded five goals before the hour mark, and Marius Sumudica will recognise the importance of bouncing back in a game of this magnitude.

Although they have only scored three times in seven away games this season, YMS have collected seven points, giving them a better record on their travels than Turkish giants Besiktas.

Team News

Rizespor will be without Selim Ay and Yannick Bolasie after they both collected their fourth yellow cards of the season last time out.

The absence of Ay could result in Gokhan Gonul moving into the middle of defence, with Fabricio Baiano taking his spot on the right.

As reward for scoring as a substitute against Goztepe, Erik Sabo may return to the midfield.

Oussama Haddadi is missing for Yeni Malatyaspor after the versatile left-sided player was sent off for two yellow cards versus Alanyaspor.

Karim Hafez should switch flanks to deputise at wing-back, with Mustafa Eskihellac returning to the team on the opposite flank.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Baiano, Gonul, Holmen, Sertel; Boldrin, Sabo, Djokovic, Umar; Boyd, Pohjanpalo

Yeni Malatyaspor possible starting lineup:

Ozbir; Ciftpinar, Wallace, Kaya; Eskihellac, Chouiar, Ndong, Aabid, Hafez; Tetteh, Buyuk

We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-0 Yeni Malatyaspor

These two teams have suffered the most defeats in Super Lig this season, and both will be aware that another setback in the top flight will leave them further off the pace. However, Rizespor are in much better form, and should have enough to edge this contest.