Two sides who could make do with a win square off in round 36 of the Turkish Super Lig as Fatih Karagumruk play host to Kayserispor at the Ataturk Olimpiyat on Tuesday.
While the visitors are currently on a run of five consecutive games without a win, the Kara Kirmizi head into the midweek clash on a three-match losing streak.
Match preview
Fatih Karagumruk failed to stop the rot as they suffered a 4-1 hammering against Trabzonspor when the sides squared off at the Senol Gunes Sports Complex last Monday.
After Mbaye Diagne struck to cancel out Marc Bartra's early opener, Batuhan Ahmet Sen scored a 20th-minute own goal to put the hosts ahead before Mahmoud Trezeguet netted a brace to cap off a solid team display.
This was a third defeat on the bounce for Karagumruk, who have also now gone four consecutive games without a win — claiming one point from a possible 12 — since April's 4-2 victory over Umraniyespor.
Scoring goals has not been the root of the Kara Kirmizi's poor form, as they hit the target six times in their last four outings, but they have conceded 11 goals in that run.
Alparslan Erdem's men have now lost 11 of their 33 matches, while claiming 11 wins and 11 draws to collect 44 points and sit ninth in the Super Lig table, with just three games to go.
Taking on an Alanyaspor side who had lost their previous two games and conceded seven goals over both matches, Kayserispor set out to seal a first top-half finish since the 2017-18 campaign.
However, they were left stunned in front of their home fans as goals from Efthymios Koulouris, Jure Balkovec and a first-half brace from Erencan Yardimci saw Alanyaspor storm to their second-biggest win of the season
Kayserispor have now gone five consecutive games without a win, picking up two points from a possible 15 while conceding a staggering 17 goals since beating Umraniyespor 3-1 on April 10.
Cagdas Atan's side head into Tuesday needing one point from their final three matches to ensure that they finish in the top half of the table as they sit level on 49 points with seventh-placed Konyaspor.
Kayserispor must now see off the threat of a Fatih Karagumruk side who are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings, including two consecutive wins since a 2-1 loss in October 2021.
Team News
Karagumruk remain without 19-year-old defender Emir Tintis, who has been out of action since picking up an injury in November's cup clash against Kirsehir Belediyespor.
He is joined on the club's injury table by the midfield duo of Efecan Mizrakci and Efe Tatli, who have been sidelined through ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Matteo Ricci has missed each of the last four matches after sustaining a back injury in April and the Frosinone loanee is also out of contention for Tuesday's matchup.
As for Kayserispor, they will still have to cope without the services of 20-year-old forward Nurettin Korkmaz, who is yet to feature this year after suffering an ACL injury last October.
Atan will also be unable to call upon experienced defender Lionel Carole, who is set to sit out his eighth consecutive game after picking up a muscle problem against Trabzonspor on April 1.
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Sen; Biraschi, Rodrigues, Dresevic, Mercan; Shukurov, Bertolacci, Ozdoev; Lobjanidze, Diagne, Borini
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Gonen; Attamah, Hosseini, Kolovetsios, Uzodimma; Kemen; Mane, Civelek, Cardoso, Bassan; Thiam
We say: Fatih Karagumruk 2-1 Kayserispor
Karagumruk and Kayserispor have struggled for results of late and will set out in search of a morale-boasting result as they look to end the season on a high. Erdem's men have enjoyed the better of this fixture and should be able to make use of their home advantage once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
