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

Goztepe SK are sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone, only one point above 17th place and they face a tough task on Saturday, when they travel to seventh-placed Istanbul Basaksehir.

Despite their lower Super Lig position, this weekend's visitors are in better form than Basaksehir, who have picked up three points from their last five matches, while Goztepe have collected 10 points during the same time.

Match preview

Emre Belozoglu's side returned to action on Wednesday, after their match against Konyaspor last Saturday was cancelled due to the tragic death of Konyaspor defender Ahmet Calik.

It was not a happy return to the Super Lig fixture list, though, as Belozoglu tasted defeat for the first time as Basaksehir manager since taking over from Aykut Kocaman in October, seeing his side fall to a 1-0 loss against Kayserispor.

The visitors would have been left wondering how they did not take any points from that encounter, given the amount of chances they created in the final third, so they will need to be more efficient in front of goal on Saturday.

Their home record is much superior to their away record, with their stats in Istanbul suggesting that Basaksehir should be confident about keeping a clean sheet, given they have only conceded eight times on their own patch, and going on to win the game as they have done so 70% of the time on home soil.

After winning just three games in their first 19 matches this season, it has been quite the turnaround for Goztepe in recent weeks, securing three consecutive victories in the Super Lig, putting together a four-game winning run in all competitions.

Nestor El Maestro's side recorded a 2-1 win against Sivasspor on Wednesday, courtesy of goals from Atinc Nukan and David Tijanic, scoring two of the three shots they registered on target in that match.

Goztepe have still only managed one clean sheet this season, which came at the beginning of this month during a 4-0 win against Antalyaspor, and their defensive stability is something they should look to improve on to climb away from the relegation zone.

Saturday's visitors should be confident in front of goal, having been more prolific in the final third on their travels as they have been so on their own patch, suggesting that they will test Istanbul Basaksehir's good defensive record at home.

Istanbul Basaksehir let a 1-0 lead slip away during the last meeting between these two teams in September, when Cherif Ndiaye and Tijanic turned the game around for Goztepe to secure a 2-1 win.

Team News

Centre-back Carlos Ponck is unavailable for selection this weekend as he is away on international duty in the Africa Cup of Nations, while Omer Ali Sahiner will continue to serve his suspension for Istanbul Basaksehir.

Serdar Gurler came into the side last time out in the absence of Sahiner, but Gurler was replaced after just 30 minutes by Emre Colak, who is expected to come into the starting lineup this weekend.

Stefano Okaka will lead the line for the home team, looking to add to his nine league goals this season, and end his four-game goal drought, his longest period without a goal for Basaksehir.

Oussama Tannane arrived at Goztepe during this month's transfer window but he will have to wait to make his debut for the club as he is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury.

Defender Marko Mihojevic will also be forced to sit out of Saturday's encounter due to coronavirus, while winger Halil Akbunar will continue to serve his suspension.

The visitors will line up with a back three including Wilker Angel, Nukan and Dino Arslanagic, with Ndiaye leading the line at the other end of the pitch, as Berkan Emir and Kerim Alici provide the width from the wing-back roles.

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Babacan; Kaldirim, Ndayishimiye, Duarte, Caicara; Cigerci; Gulbrandsen, Aleksic, Turuc, Colak; Okaka

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:

Egribayat; Angel, Nukan, Arslanagic; Emir, Aydogdu, Nwobodo, Alici; Lourency, Baku; Ndiaye

We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Goztepe SK

Goztepe are in fine form and will be confident travelling to Istanbul, which is why they are likely to get on the scoresheet this weekend.

However, Basaksehir are expected to bounce back from defeat last time out and should respond to their visitors by cancelling each other out, playing out an even affair.