Kasimpasa host Kayserispor in a mid-table clash in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday afternoon at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu.
Both sides will be looking to build on success in the Turkish Cup in midweek with a positive league result in Round 11 of the Turkish top flight.
Match preview
It took extra time and a late Mickael Tirpan goal to defeat Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu of the third division on Tuesday, but the Istanbul-based side managed to squeeze their way into the fourth round of the competition.
Last time out in the league, a three-game unbeaten spell came to an end after a heavy 4-1 defeat to league leaders Adana Demirspor, the third time this season Kasimpasa have conceded four or more goals in a game.
The previous two occasions came on the opening two matchdays of the season, when Senol Can's side lost 4-0 to Istanbul Basaksehir and then 6-0 at home to Fenerbahce seven days later.
Thankfully for supporters, Kasimpasa have improved drastically since losing their first three league fixtures by an aggregate score of 11-0, and have now only lost twice in the last seven outings, a record that has seen them climb to 10th in the standings after 10 games.
Kayserispor also enjoyed cup success against third-division opposition on Tuesday, beating Igdir FK in normal time thanks to goals from Ilhan Parlak and Majid Hosseini.
Galatasaray were defeated on home soil last time out in the Turkish Super Lig, making it three wins in the last five league games for Cagdas Atan's men.
Switzerland international Mario Gavranovic has been providing the goals so far this year for Kayserispor and looks set to better the tally of 10 goals he managed to score in his maiden season in Turkey during the 2021-22 campaign.
The ex-Dinamo Zagreb man has three goals in his last four, including the vital opener in the win over Galatasaray in their last league fixture.
Team News
Attacker Bengali-Fode Koita is still a doubt for this weekend due to a muscle injury that means he is yet to make his debut for Kasimpasa since moving on loan from fellow Turkish side Trabzonspor last month.
One-time Turkey international Tarkan Serbest remains unavailable due to a cruciate ligament injury the defender suffered in last campaign's 4-0 win at home to Adana Demirspor, with the club hopeful he can return to action at the start of 2023.
Kayserispor have their own issues at the back with central defender Arif Kocaman set to miss a fifth straight game with a groin injury.
The visitors on Sunday have a cruciate ligament injury of their own, with Nurettin Korkmaz expected to be sidelined until early May, a real shame for the 20-year-old whose Kayserispor career was beginning to pick up pace.
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Hadergjonaj, Bruma, Ciftpinar, Ouanes; Tirpan, Fall, Eysseric, Hajradinovic, Celina; Bahoken
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Bulut, Hosseini, Kolovetsios, Carole; Campanharo, Civelek, Karimi, Mensah, Thiam; Gavranovic
We say: Kasimpasa 1-1 Kayserispor
The two sides are only separated by three points and two places in the Turkish Super Lig so far, meaning we should see a close game on Sunday afternoon.
Kasimpasa are a much-improved side after a disastrous start to the season but we feel they will have to settle for a share of the spoils when Kayserispor come to town this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
