Caykur Rizespor play host to Eyupspor on Sunday looking for the win that would bolster their position above the Super Lig relegation zone.
However, at a time when the home side sit in 15th position in the table, Eyupspor are fourth and just one point adrift of third.
Match preview
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On the back of last season's ninth-placed finish, fans of Caykur Rizespor would not have been anticipating a relegation battle this time around.
A strong October and November has gone to waste with just four wins being recorded from their last 16 outings, two at home and two away.
Most recently, Ilhan Palut has witnessed his side fail to prevail from any of the last four encounters, their only point coming at home to relegation rivals Sivasspor.
Either side of that game, defeats have come against Antalyaspor, Bodrum FK and Trabzonspor, albeit not conceding more than two goals in any of those fixtures.
Despite boasting the fourth-worst home record in the division, Rizespor have still accumulated 19 points from their 14 games at the Rize City Stadium, losing just five times.
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Meanwhile, opponents Eyupspor continue to be one of the surprise packages of European football by retaining a top-four place in the standings at this stage of the campaign.
Survival after promotion would have been the priority, yet seven wins from 13 matches since the turn of the year have left Arda Turan's team in fourth place.
Sitting just one point adrift of third place, European qualification is a real possibility, albeit with the three teams above them still to play during their closing six games.
Last time out, Eyupspor showcased their attacking credentials by thrashing Adana Demirspor by a 6-0 scoreline, playmaker Emre Akbaba taking his tally for the season to seven with a double in that encounter.
Despite their lofty position in the table, the visitors have only won five of their 15 away fixtures in Turkey's top flight this season.
Team News
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Rizespor will have to make do without Dal Varesanovic after he was sent off on the back of his introduction as a substitute against Trabzonspor.
That could see Altin Zeqiri retain his place in the side, but Muhamed Buljubasic could be provided with his first start of the season in midfield at the expense of Berkay Ozcan.
Meanwhile, Hamza Akman and Halil Akbunar will feel in contention for starting roles for Eyupspor given that they contributed either a goal or assist versus Adana Demirspor during their time from the bench.
However, barring any fitness issues, it is difficult to see Turan making any changes to a team that cruised to a 6-0 win.
Mame Thiam, who has 14 goals to his name from 28 Super Lig starts, will lead the line.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Akaydin, Hojer; Aliqulov, Buljubasic; Akintola, Olawoyin, Zeqiri; Sowe
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Kabasakal, Yalcin, Claro, Meras; Kayan; Akbaba, Bozok, Bingol, Erkin; Thiam
We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-2 Eyupspor
Given what is at stake for both clubs, we anticipate a competitive encounter despite their places at opposite ends of the table. Nevertheless, we can only back the visitors to come through, potentially through a late goal as they bid to make a further statement in the upper echelons of the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
