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

Hatayspor will look to boost their survival chances when they host Samsunspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday at the Mersin Stadium.

The hosts are coming into this game on the back of a six-match winless streak, picking up just two points in their last five league matches.

Match preview

Hatayspor are still without a win since February 2 when they defeated fellow strugglers Fatih Karagumruk.

The Falcons have since lost to Istanbul Basaksehir via penalties in the Turkish Cup, and were beaten 2-0 by Trabzonspor before picking up a point in a 1-1 draw with Sivasspor.

However, they followed up the draw with consecutive 2-0 losses to Konyaspor and Fenerbahce before playing a 1-1 draw against Kayserispor in their last match.

They remain in 17th place, level on points with 16th-placed Ankaragucu but below them due to an inferior goal difference.

Hatayspor will play a team they have met just three times in their history on Sunday. Before the reverse fixture, which the Falcons lost 2-1, both teams only met in the second division during the 1980-81 season.

After a poor start to life back in the top-flight, Samsunspor quickly fired Huseyin Eroglu, before permanently replacing him with Mark Gisdol.

The German manager joined the club in the relegation zone but has successfully taken them out and they currently sit in 11th place, six points above the drop zone.

Under Gisdol, Samsunspor has played 25 games, won 12, drawn five and lost eight, making it a 48% win rate for the 54-year-old.

However, they have struggled on the road, picking up just one away win, while losing nine of 14 such games so far, leaving them to record just about 25 percent of their total points away from home.

Team News

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

Halil Dervisoglu is expected to spearhead the attack once again, receiving support from Rui Pedro behind him.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru should play from the right side of attack while Dogukan Sinik is the man expected to play from the left in attack.

Samsunspor will be without one of their key players coming into this game as Marius Mouandilmadji is still suspended after his red card against Basaksehir.

In his absence, Ercan Kara is expected to lead the line once again, looking to add to his three goals so far.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup: Kardesler; Rivas, Yilmaz, Maksimovic, Sertel; Boudjemaa, Parmak; Dele-Bashiru, Pedro, Sinik; Dervisoglu

Samsunspor possible starting lineup: Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Bola, Gonul; Celik, Antalyali; Holse, Ntcham, Raman; Kara

We say: Hatayspor 1-1 Samsunspor

Hatayspor have struggled this season and are winless in their last six matches. While Samsunspor on the other hand, have looked a shadow of themselves whenever they play away from home. We think that this one will end in a draw but we expect both sides to find the net.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.