Preview: Hatayspor vs. Istanbulspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Hatayspor will look to increase their chances of survival when they welcome bottom-side Istanbulspor to Mersin Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors will be relegated if they fail to win on Sunday, while the hosts are 15th in the Super Lig and just two points above the first side in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Hatayspor could not build on their victory over Samsunspor before the break, as they lost 1-0 to league leaders Galatasaray, courtesy of a 12th-minute goal by Mauro Icardi.

However, they remain in 15th place with 33 points, level on points with 16th-placed Konyaspor, but two points above Gaziantep who occupy the first relegation spot.

With seven games remaining in the campaign, Hatayspor will be hoping to bounce back on Sunday against the league's whipping-boys Istanbulspor, in front of their home crowd.

The Star of the South were on a six-match winless run across all competitions before the victory over Samsunspor on March 17, losing three times and drawing twice in the league, a run that left them in the relegation zone.

While they have lost their last two matches against Istanbulspor, including a 2-1 defeat in November's reverse fixture, Hatayspor will look at Sunday's game as the perfect opportunity to end this run of losses and pick up valuable three points in the race for survival.

Istanbulspor are rooted to the bottom of the Super Lig with a mere 13 points, a staggering 20 points behind the nearest team, as their two-year stay in the top flight is nearing its end.

Defeat for the Bulls on Sunday will confirm their drop off to the second division in what has been a season to forget. From the club president telling the players to abandon a game as a protest against the referee's decision to receiving a six-point deduction for the act, it was a campaign that looked doomed from the onset.

Osman Zeki Korkmaz's side have not won any of their last ten matches, drawing three and losing seven, the last of which was a 4-0 drubbing against Caykur Rizespor in front of their home crowd.

Pride is all that is left to play for at this point for Istanbulspor, as the team have looked uninspired in this campaign, picking up just three wins in 31 matches, while losing 21 times.

The Bulls have a poor record at Hatayspor, losing six times, drawing one and winning just twice in nine visits, although their last win there came last year when they won by three unreplied goals.

Team News

Hatayspor head into this clash with a fully fit squad and no player suspended, leaving the manager with enough options.

Carlos Strandberg is expected to spearhead the attack once again, as the 27-year-old looks to add to his 12 league goals this season.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Omer Beyaz, Halil Dervisoglu and Rigoberto Rivas should provide support for the forward.

Like the hosts, the visitors also have a complete squad to choose from as there are no injuries or suspensions.

A 5-3-2 with Mendy Mamadou and Emir Gultekin is expected for Sunday's clash, with Ozcan Sahan, Jackson and Florian Loshaj playing in the midfield.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup: Kardesler; Alici, Kilama, Maksimovic, Ghoulam; Dervisoglu, Dele-Bashiru, Beyaz, Rivas; Strandberg

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup: Arda; Sambissa, Coly, Deli, Duhaney, Yesil; Loshaj, Sahan, Jackson; Mamadou, Gultekin

We say: Hatayspor 2-0 Istanbulspor

Hatayspor have more to fight for in this game as the visitors look already doomed for relegation. We expect the hosts to win this game comfortably in the end, confirming Istanbulspor's relegation.

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