Istanbul Basaksehir will look to boost their European qualification hopes when they play host to relegation-threatened Ankaragucu in the Super Lig on Saturday.
While the hosts are seeking to avoid a fifth successive game without a win, the visitors are hoping to claim maximum points for the first time under the tutelage of new head coach Tolunay Kafkas.
Match preview
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Istanbul Basaksehir head coach Emre Belozoglu is tasked with turning the club's fortunes around after enduring a six-game winless run across all competitions prior to the international break.
A disappointing 4-1 second-leg defeat at home to Gent in the Europa Conference League last 16 was followed by a 2-2 draw away against Faith Karagumruk in their last Super Lig outing just under two weeks ago, with Mbaye Diagne netting a 92nd-minute equaliser for the hosts just a minute after Serdar Gurler thought he had won it for the Grey Owls.
Having picked up just one point from a possible 12 available, Belozoglu's side have slipped to sixth in the top-flight table, but a win against Ankaragucu would move them to within five points of Besiktas in third place.
Basaksehir will be confident of success on Saturday as they have picked up maximum points in eight of their 12 home league fixtures so far this season, while they have also won each of their last seven meetings with Ankaragucu, including a 2-1 away victory in October.
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Sedat Agcay's three-game spell as caretaker boss has come to an end after Ankaragucu confirmed the appointment of Tolunay Kafkas as their new head coach last week.
The 54-year-old returns to senior club management for the first time in six years after leaving his post as Turkey Under-21s boss at the end of February, with former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan reportedly set to be appointed as his replacement.
Kafkas has 12 top-flight fixtures to steer Ankaragucu away from danger, with his new side currently sitting 15th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone.
Ankaragucu, who won the second-tier title last season, head into Saturday's contest having lost four of their last five Super Lig away matches, including a 2-0 defeat at Sivasspor in their most recent outing before the international break.
The Ankara-based outfit will be hoping for an immediate manager bounce under Kafkas, and a victory on Saturday would be their first against Basaksehir since a 4-1 away win back in April 2011.
Team News
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Istanbul Basaksehir winger Adnan Januzaj will serve the second and final game of his two-match suspension this weekend, while Eden Karzev is an injury doubt and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Following the retirement of playmaker Mesut Ozil during the international break, Berkay Ozcan and Danijel Aleksic are set to provide the creativity in midfield, with the former expected to return to the starting lineup at the expense of Mahmut Tekdemir.
Joao Figueiredo was handed a start up front last time out and could retain his place ahead of Stefan Okaka, who has not scored in the Super Lig since October.
As for Ankaragucu, goalkeeper Gokhan Akkan and former Napoli full-back Kevin Malcuit are both injury doubts and will be assessed ahead of the trip to Istanbul, while Enock Kwateng, Sitki Imdat and Gboly Ariyibi all remain in the treatment room.
Top scorer and Gambia international Ali Sowe, who has found the net seven times so far this season, is expected to lead the line, with support provided on the flanks by Emre Kilinc and Giorgi Beridze.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Sahiner, Duarte, Touba, De Lima; Biglia; Keny, Ozcan, Aleksic, Gurler; Figueiredo
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Gungordu; Uzum, Radakovic, Mujakic, Xavier; Antalyali, Diack; Kilinc, Pedrinho, Beridze; Sowe
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Ankaragucu
A closely-fought contest between two teams struggling for form is set to take place on Saturday, although Istanbul Basaksehir will be regarded as favourites to come out on top.
Ankaragucu will be keen to see immediate signs of improvement under new boss Kafkas, but claiming a positive result against Basaksehir may be a step too far.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
