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

Sivasspor will host Hatayspor on Sunday with the home side looking to end a six-game winless run which has left them languishing in 15th place.

Meanwhile, the visitors are flying high in the Turkish Super Lig, and they head into the weekend in second position having lost once in their last six matches.

Match preview

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Sivasspor finished in fourth and fifth place in their last two campaigns respectively, but they have failed to match that success this season.

Riza Calimbay may be feeling the pressure, with his side's recent poor form leaving them just a point clear of the relegation zone ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures.

After four consecutive draws, Sivasspor travelled to face Istanbul Basakehir last weekend, but they came home with nothing after suffering a 2-1 defeat.

The hosts took a two-goal advantage into the break and despite Pedro Henrique scoring from the spot for the visitors, the damage was already done with Istanbul Basakehir claiming all three points.

Although that defeat would have been tough to take, draws have been the real issue this term for Calimbay's men with seven of their 13 league games ending all square - more than any other side in the Turkish Super Lig.

Unlike their opponents, Hatayspor's season has been far from disappointing, and an improvement on last season's sixth place looks possible.

In only their second season in the Turkish top flight, Hatayspor have been in imperious form, winning eight of their 13 games this term.

Although they suffered their second defeat of the campaign before the international break, they bounced back last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Antalyaspor.

The two sides went into half time level after Paul Mukairu cancelled out Ayoub El Kaabi's opener, but Ruben Ribeiro restored Hatayspor's lead before Mame Biram Diouf dispatched his spot kick to wrap up the scoring.

The only concern for the visitors is that they are winless in their last two away games, but they can take confidence from the fact that they have scored in five of their six away matches.

Team News

Sivasspor are still without Aaron Appindangoye, who is absent due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Koray Altinay is also sidelined for the hosts with a knee problem keeping the defender out of the squad.

Ugur Ciftci and Mustapha Yatabare are both available after missing last weekend's game due to suspension, and the pair are expected to come into the starting lineup.

Hatayspor's only absentee is Onur Ergun, who is unavailable due to injury.

After an impressive performance last weekend, Omer Erdogan could name an unchanged lineup for Sunday.

Diouf and El Kaabi will pose a threat at the weekend, with the pair grabbing six goals apiece this season.

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Yesilyurt, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Arslan, Fajr, Gradel; Kayode, Henrique, Yatabare

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:

Munir; Corekci, Kurucuk, Oksuz, Adekugbe; Ribeiro, Boudjemaa, Traore; Lobjanidze, El Kaabi, Diouf

We say: Sivasspor 1-1 Hatayspor

The two meetings between the sides last season ended all square, and given Sivasspor's track record of picking up draws, we think that Sunday's encounter will result in the two teams claiming a point apiece.