Looking to mark their return to action with a fourth successive win in all tournaments, Samsunspor host fellow basement battlers Konyaspor in Thursday's Turkish Super Lig battle at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.
Markus Gisdol's troops overcame Kasimpasa 4-2 before the brief hiatus, while their visitors lost their unbeaten run in a 1-0 home defeat to Sivasspor.
Match preview
Consigning a disastrous start to the 2023-24 campaign to the back of their minds, a Samsunspor side who failed to win any of their opening nine games of the season head into Thursday's tie having now achieved five victories from their last seven contests across all competitions.
Three for three in December so far, Gisdol's troops have a newfound clinical edge to thank for their winter revival, sinking Adana Demirspor 3-2 away from home before advancing in the Turkish Cup with a 3-0 beating of Tokat Bld Plevnespor, and their attacking prowess also came to the fore in their most recent top-flight battle.
With 75 minutes gone during their encounter with Kasimpasa, Samsunspor had stormed into a 4-0 lead before shipping two late goals in injury time, but it was too little too late for the visitors to mount a serious fightback as the Red Lightning aided their survival charge further.
Champions of the 2022-23 second division, Samsunspor remain below the dreaded dotted line in 17th place but are only adrift of upcoming opponents Konyaspor on goal difference, while Gaziantep and Istanbul Basaksehir are also at risk of being usurped by Gisdol's charges.
Home has been where the heart is for Samsunspor during their upturn in results, as four of the hosts' last five matches on familiar territory have ended in victory, while success on the road has been hard to come by for their midweek foes.
Neck-and-neck with Samsunspor in the rankings - only keeping their heads above water courtesy of a slightly superior defensive record - Konyaspor had no answer to the rearguard might of Sivasspor when the two outfits clashed on December 11.
A 15th-minute strike from Clinton N'Jie was all that was required for Sivasspor to travel home with another maximum, despite ceding 65% possession and 14 shots to Konyaspor, whose statistical supremacy was ultimately rendered futile in front of the home crowd.
By virtue of their three-game unbeaten run coming to a swift end, Hakan Keles's 16th-placed troops are now at risk of being bumped down into the relegation zone with anything other than a triumph in midweek, as they are also level on points with 18th-placed Alanyaspor and one clear of second-from-bottom Pendikspor.
As mentioned, the Anatolian Eagle have had their wings clipped away from home in recent times, failing to win any of their last five contests on their travels - suffering three defeats and two draws in that time - putting their 11-year stay in the top flight in serious jeopardy.
Owing to the hosts' lengthy absence from the top flight of Turkish football, Samsunspor and Konyaspor have not locked horns since the 2012-13 second division - where both meetings ended level - and their most recent top-flight clash in April 2006 also saw the two clubs share the points in a 1-1 draw.
Team News
While a 12-day break in between matches offered players ample time to recover from any knocks and niggles, Samsunspor could remain without the services of a handful of players this week, including former Porto right-back Nanu, whose muscle injury may keep him out for another few weeks.
Zeki Yavru (hernia), Gaetan Laura (groin), Bedirhan Cetin (foot) and Youssef Ait Bennasser (hamstring) also remain in the care of the physios, while Landry Dimata's participation is also in doubt after he missed the beating of Kasimpasa due to discomfort.
Even if Dimata is passed fit, leading scorer Marius Mouandilmadji - who netted twice on December 9 - will spearhead the charge, supported by former Swansea City man Olivier Ntcham in the number 10 role.
Konyaspor have also been unable to recover any players during the brief break, as attacking duo Muhammet Demir and Gokhan Tore are both recovering from severe ligament injuries and will not be available for the foreseeable future.
Demir's absence guarantees another start at the tip of the attack for Albanian marksman Sokol Cikalleshi, who leads the visitors' scoring charts with five strikes this term, while Galatasaray loanee Alexandru Cicaldau will provide support as the playmaker-in-chief.
World Cup 2018 winner Steven Nzonzi has been restricted to substitute outings in each of Konyaspor's last three affairs, but his defensive nous could now come in handy against a rampant Samsunspor attack.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Tirpan, Satka, Ozturk, Gonul; Tait, Antalyali; Holse, Ntcham, Kilinc; Mouandilmadji
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Oguz, Demirbag, Calvo, Guilherme; Nzonzi, Dikmen; Muric, Cicaldau, Prip; Cikalleshi
We say: Samsunspor 3-1 Konyaspor
An unforeseen hiatus has the potential to stunt a free-scoring Samsunspor attack, but with the hosts facing a side who just cannot shut up shop away from home, their survival bid should be strengthened once again.
Three points would be enough for the hosts to clamber out of the relegation zone at the expense of Konyaspor, and we can envisage such a scenario coming to fruition on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
