Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season sees Ankaragucu and Gaziantep face off against each other at Eryaman Stadium.
Both teams are looking to ensure they remain in the top-flight for another season, with hosts just three points above the relegation zone, while the visitors are among the bottom four.
Match preview
© Reuters
Ankaragucu salvaged a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor last time out, with Efkan Bekiroglu grabbing an equaliser after Erdogan Yesilyurt gave Antalya the lead.
Emre Belozoglu's men have 34 points from 31 matches and currently sit 14th in the standings, three points clear of the relegation zone.
MKE will be looking to capitalise on home support again, having gone unbeaten in their last three home games in all competitions, including a 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup.
Ankaragucu could achieve their first-ever double over Gaziantep after a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in November. However, their home record against them is poor, with just one win in five games at Eryaman Stadium.
With seven games remaining, Belozoglu's men must avoid a repeat of their winless run between January and mid-March to secure a sixth consecutive season in the top flight.
Gaziantep slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Alanyaspor last time out, making it three consecutive losses where they conceded three goals in each game.
Their 2-0 win over Besiktas on March 11th is their only victory in their last six matches, having lost four and drawn one in that period.
Selcuk Inan's men have now lost 16 of their 31 Super Lig matches this season and remain in the relegation zone, sitting 17th with 31 points, two points from safety.
Before this season's defeat to Ankaragucu, the Falcons were on a four-match winning streak against them. However, they now risk losing consecutive games against them for the first time in history.
Team News
The home side will remain without Ertac Ozbir, whose return to action from a suspension was pushed further back by injury.
Thirty-three-year-old left back Alper Uludag is also sidelined with a muscle injury and will only return to action later this month.
Bekiroglu came from the bench to find the net last time out but he still does not look likely to play from the start due to a healing torn muscle.
Gaziantep could remain without Bryan Acosta, as he is yet to fully recover from a groin problem, while Ulas Zengin continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through a leg injury.
French defender M'Bakata should be back in the XI after missing the last game through suspension, following an excessive accumulation of yellow cards.
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Gungordu; Cetin, Mujakic, Radakovic, Kitsiou; Guneren, Cigerci; Pedrinho, Bassogog, Morutan; Sowe
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Ersoy, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, M'Bakata; Ozcicek; Sorescu, Monteiro, Maxim, Eskihellac; Dragus
We say: Ankaragucu 1-1 Gaziantep
Ankaragucu seek home advantage against Gaziantep, with both sides desperately needing points to escape relegation. However, the hosts have historically struggled in this fixture and we expect this to play a role here, with both sides settling for a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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