Preview: Giresunspor vs. Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

Besiktas will head to the Cotanak Sports Complex with one goal in mind and that is to claim consecutive victories as they try to keep pace with the top four.

The team that stands in the way of three more points is Giresunspor, who have enjoyed a promising run of form after losing just one of their last six matches.

Match preview

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Giresunspor may be the side that sits just outside the relegation zone, but they currently enjoy a 10-point buffer between them and the bottom four.

Sunday's hosts ended February just two points clear of the drop zone, but four wins in their previous six games has seen them alleviate their relegation fears.

The latest of those victories occurred last weekend when a first half strike from Hamidou Traore helped Giresunspor to a 1-0 win over Yeni Malatyaspor.

Despite possessing a healthy gap to the drop zone, Hakan Keles will be reminding his side that the job is not completed until they are mathematically safe.

As Giresunspor prepare to face the Black Eagles, they will look to draw inspiration from the impressive 4-0 away victory that they picked up against the 10-men of Besiktas in November.

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The visitors, meanwhile, are embroiled in a scrap for the European places with three points separating Besiktas from the top four ahead of the weekend.

After enduring a five-game winless run in all competitions, the Black Eagles picked up a crucial victory last weekend, when they thrashed Alanayspor 4-1.

Michy Batshuayi found the net within two minutes of kickoff before Besiktas were pegged back by Efecan Karaca's equaliser, but a Josef de Souza effort and Batshuayi's second goal of the game gave the Black Eagles a two-goal lead at the break.

Guven Yalcin wrapped up a comprehensive victory late on, with the result representing Valerien Ismael's first win as Besiktas boss.

The former West Bromwich Albion head coach will take charge of his third game at the helm of the Black Eagles, and he will be seeking to improve upon an away record that has seen Sunday's visitors win just three away league games this season.

Team News

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Zeki Yavru could miss out for hosts due to an injury issue, while Arda Kilic remains a long-term absentee.

After winning last weekend, Giresunspor could name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

That would mean that Umut Nayir continues to lead the line with the forward aiming to add to the five league goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, Cyle Larin will return to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, although the Canada international may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Ismael will be forced into one change with Welinton suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards and the defender will be replaced in the backline by Necip Uysal.

Batshuayi will continue in the front line after taking his league tally for the season to 14 goals thanks to a brace last weekend.

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:

Kocuk; Bilazer, Diarra, Perez, Behich; Flavio, Traore; Suleymanov, Chiquinho, Diabate; Nayir

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Destanoglu; Uysal, Montero, Vida; Rosier, Bozdogan, Souza, Yilmaz; Ghezzal, Teixeira, Batshuayi

We say: Giresunspor 1-1 Besiktas

Besiktas have struggled for victories on their travels this season, and we think that they will have to settle for a point on Sunday when they come up against a Giresunspor side who have lost just one of their previous six games.