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

Two sides who won promotion to the Turkish Super Lig for the 2022-23 campaign will face off on Saturday when Istanbulspor welcome Ankaragucu to the Necmi Kadioglu Stadium.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last four competitive games, while Ankaragucu have won only one of their seven league matches this season.

Match preview

After winning promotion via the playoffs, Istanbulspor's return to the top flight after 17 years away got off to a shaky start.

The campaign began with three consecutive defeats, but Osman Zeki Korkmaz's side have shown great character and determination to instigate an upturn in results.

Istanbulspor beat Alanyaspor 1-0 to claim their first win of the season before playing out consecutive draws with Sivasspor and Besiktas.

In their most recent outing, they came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Fatih Karagumruk thanks to second-half goals from Eduard Rroca and Jetmir Topalli.

With both victories this season taking place away from home, Istanbulspor will now look to claim their first home win of the season after collecting only one point from their opening three games at the Necmi Kadioglu Stadium.

While the hosts are currently sat in 13th position with eight points to their name, Ankaragucu are four points worse off, leaving them in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's contest.

They would have been content with a goalless draw against Konyaspor on the opening weekend of the season, but the following four consecutive defeats left them with just a single point after five games.

Having begun the campaign with a poor run of results, Ankaragucu would have been relieved to finally claim their first victory of the season on matchday six.

However, they were unable to build upon their 2-1 victory over Sivasspor as they were narrowly beaten by Istanbul Basaksehir last weekend.

Having lost all three of their away games this term by a combined 7-2 scoreline, Ankaragucu know that they need to improve on their travels if they are to avoid a relegation battle.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Eslem Ozturk, who is a long-term absentee due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

After coming off the bench to score against Fatih Karagumruk, Rroca could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Like Rroca, Mehmet Yesil and Ibrahim Yilmaz were half-time substitutes in Monday's contest, and the pair could also be brought into the side for the meeting with Ankaragucu.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Lamine Diack and Pepe due to injury issues.

Gokhan Akkan has started the last two games for Ankaragucu after joining the club in September, and the goalkeeper is expected to retain his place in the side, with Omer Erdogan likely to name an unchanged lineup despite losing 2-1 last weekend to Istanbul Basaksehir.

Ali Sowe will continue to lead the line as the forward looks to add to the one goal that he has scored in his five appearances this season.

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Erdogan, Mehremic, Yesil; Berber, Rroca, Sarikaya, Aksu; Topalli, Gultekin; Yilmaz

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Ceylan, Radakovic, Mujakic, Gureler; Kilinc, Antalyali, Cigerci, Pedrinho, Beridze; Sowe

We say: Istanbulspor 2-1 Ankaragucu

Although Istanbulspor are still searching for their first home win of the season, they are unbeaten in their last four matches, and we think that they will continue their promising run of form by claiming a narrow victory over an Ankaragucu side who have lost all three of their away games this season.

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