Two sides fighting at opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig table will do battle on Saturday as Adana Demirspor host Samsunspor at the New Adana Stadium.
Following a three-game winless run, the hosts find themselves fourth in Turkey's top flight with a 10-point gap up to the top two, while their visitors sit 19th and are five points away from safety.
Match preview
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Adana Demirspor had to make do with a point from their clash against Kayserispor in a 1-1 stalemate at the Kadir Has Stadium on Sunday.
Patrick Kluivert's men took the lead through Yusuf Erdogan on the stroke of half time but could not hold on as Aylton Boa Morte restored parity for Kayserispor in the second half.
With 24 points amassed from 14 matches so far, the Blue Lightnings have made a fine start to the season and sit fourth in the standings.
Currently on an unbeaten run of seven matches at home, Saturday's hosts have established themselves as a real force to be reckoned with in front of their fans.
However, Kluivert's side have struggled to get over the line in recent matches, recording three successive draws while failing to score more than once in any of these fixtures.
After what seemed like a renaissance for Samsunspor with consecutive wins over Hatayspor and Istanbulspor, Markus Gisdol's men have since followed it with two defeats in a row against Pendikspor and Besiktas.
The Red Lightning are 19th in the Super Lig table with eight points, the same points tally as bottom-placed Istanbulspor but with a slightly better goal difference.
Samsunspor's away form has been a major part of why they have struggled, with the 1-1 draw against Sivasspor in the season's opener being their only point on the road - a result that has been followed by six consecutive away defeats.
The newly-promoted side are one of the early candidates for relegation and it will take a huge effort to stay in the Super Lig following their poor start.
Team News
Adana Demirspor are expected to remain without forward Mario Balotelli due to a knee injury, while defender Jonas Svensson is also sidelined with a muscle issue that kept him out of the last match.
In Balotelli's absence, their line will be led by M'Baye Niang, who has managed six goals in 13 league appearances so far this term, while attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda returns as part of the supporting cast after serving his suspension.
Left-back Kevin Rodrigues will miss out as he serves a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, which opens up an opportunity for Abdurrahim Dursun to feature from the start.
Erdogan will continue to play a key role in attack from the left wing after his goal against Kayserispor, while Badou Ndiaye retains his spot at the base of the midfield.
Samsunspor continue to deal with a long injury list, as Marc Bola, Landry Dimata and Moryke Fofana are all set to remain confined to the treatment room this weekend.
Marius Mouandilmadji should keep his spot in attack after finding the net against Besiktas, while former Celtic and Swansea City man Olivier Ntcham continues in his supporting role behind the striker.
Lubomir Satka and Rick van Drongelen should start in the middle of the back four, while Taylan Antalyali partners Youssef Ait Bennasser at the base of the midfield.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Tokoz, Guler, Gravillon, Dursun; Ndiaye; Michut, Belhanda, Sari, Erdogan; Niang
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Gonul; Antalyali, Bennasser; Ntcham, Holse, Kilinc; Mouandilmadji
We say: Adana Demirspor 2-0 Samsunspor
Adana Demirspor will see this as the perfect opportunity to get back on track after their recent struggles. The home side will have too much for the visitors, who have been extremely poor on the road in this campaign.
Adana Demirspor have been dominant at home in this campaign with six wins from seven, making them the best side on home turf in the Super Lig so far.
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