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

Istanbul Basaksehir will be looking to extend their current unbeaten run to seven matches when they travel to the Cotanak Sports Complex to face Giresunspor on Sunday.

The hosts occupy 14th spot in the Super Lig, while Istanbul Basaksehir enter the contest in the fourth and final European qualification position.

Match preview

After winning promotion to the Super Lig last season, Giresunspor's main objective for the current campaign would be to remain in the top flight.

It is a target that has already been achieved with Sunday's hosts currently eight points adrift of the relegation zone ahead of the final two matches.

Giresunspor are set to finish the season in a positive run of form after losing just one of their last six games.

They did, however, miss the chance to clinch consecutive victories last weekend, with their contest against Altay ending in a 1-1 draw.

Despite giving up a lead to drop two points against Altay, Hakan Keles's side have a chance to claim back-to-back home victories, while a positive result on Sunday would see them extend their unbeaten home run to six matches.

Meanwhile, Istanbul Basaksehir are closing in on a top-four position, with the hosts currently sat in fourth place.

The visitors enter Sunday's contest three points clear of fifth spot, and they could take another step towards Europa Conference League qualification with a win over Giresunspor.

Istanbul Basaksehir were unable to clinch a third successive victory last weekend, but they did manage to extend their unbeaten run to six matches after playing out a goalless draw with Galatasaray.

The visitors will be looking to draw upon the fact that they currently hold the fourth-best away record after collecting 26 points from their 18 away league games this season.

Emre Belozoglu's side can also take inspiration from the 3-1 victory that they picked up in the reverse fixture with Giresunspor.

Team News

Aziz Behich will miss out for the hosts, with the defender suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Keles could make a couple of changes to the lineup, with Serginho and Hayrullah Bilazer set to return to the starting XI after the pair dropped out of the side for the draw with Altay.

As for the visitors, they have doubts over the availability of Leo Duarte, who missed last weekend's contest through injury.

Despite playing out a goalless draw against Galatasaray, Belozoglu could name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's encounter, which would present Fredrik Gulbrandsen with a fourth consecutive start.

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:

Piri; Bilazer, Picinciol, Perez, Tasdemir; Flavio, Traore; Diabate, Chiquinho, Serginho; Nayir

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Babacan; Caicara, Koyuncu, Epureanu, Lima; Turuc, Tekdemir, Cigerci, Ozcan, Trezeguet; Gulbrandsen

We say: Giresunspor 1-2 Istanbul Basaksehir

Giresunpor may not have much to play for, but their opponents certainly do, and we think that extra motivation could propel Istanbul Basaksehir to all three points on Sunday.