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

On Saturday, league leaders Trabzonspor will play host to Istanbul Basaksehir, with the home side aiming for their third consecutive victory.

Meanwhile, the visitors sit in third place in the Turkish Super Lig, and they be will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 games.

Match preview

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With Saturday's fixture representing the halfway point of the season, Trabzonspor know that they will finish the weekend top regardless of the result.

The hosts are dreaming of a seventh Turkish Super Lig title as they sit comfortably clear at the top with a nine-point lead over second-placed Konyaspor.

Trabzonspor will be looking to end a positive week with maximum points after a 2-0 win over Hatayspor last weekend was followed by a 2-1 away victory against Altay in midweek.

In that encounter, Trabzonspor fell behind due to Cebrail Karayel's opener, but a second-half brace from Andreas Cornelius ensured that the visitors went home with all three points.

Still yet to lose at home in the league this season, Abdullah Avci will be confident that his side can secure a sixth consecutive home victory on Saturday.

Istanbul Basaksehir are also in a fine run of form after going ten league games without defeat, while collecting seven victories in that period.

After drawing 1-1 with Galatasaray last weekend, Istanbul Basaksehir picked up all three points at home to Giresunspor on Tuesday.

In that encounter, goals from Deniz Turuc, Junior Caicara and Edin Visca helped the hosts to an impressive 3-1 victory.

That win extended Istanbul Basaksehir's unbeaten home league run to eight games, but their away form has struggled to match their impressive home record with Emre Belozoglu's side collecting only 10 of their 32 points on their travels.

Although, all 10 of their away points have come from their last four away league matches, which will give the visitors confidence ahead of Saturday's contest.

Team News

The hosts are without Anthony Nwakaeme and Erce Kardesler, who are absent due to thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.

Dorukhan Tokoz and Anastasios Bakasetas dropped to the bench for the midweek encounter, but they could return to the starting lineup for Saturday's contest.

After scoring four goals in his last three games, Cornelius will be in a confident mood when he leads the line for Trabzonspor.

As for the visitors, they will welcome back Leo Duarte back from a one-match suspension, and the defender will replace Alexandru Epureanu in the starting lineup.

Hasan Ali Kaldirim and Nacer Chadli could also come into the starting lineup after dropping to the bench for the midweek contest with Giresunspor.

Meanwhile, Stefano Okaka will look to add to his nine-goal league tally when he leads the line for Istanbul Basaksehir on Saturday.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Peres, le, Hugo, Denswil; Tokoz, Ozdemir, Hamsik; Bakasetas, Djaniny, Cornelius

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Sengezer; Sahiner, Duarte, Ndayishimiye, Kaldirim; Tekdemir, Cigerci, Ozcan; Visca, Chadli, Okaka

We say: Trabzonspor 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

Both teams will be in a confident mood after enjoying a run of positive results, but we think that the two sides will settle for a point apiece in what promises to be a close-fought contest.