After seeing their unbeaten streak come to an end, Antalyaspor will look to respond immediately when they host Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.
The Scorpions had put together a five-match unbeaten run before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Fenerbahce last time out, but they now face a tricky encounter against a side they have failed to beat in their last four competitive meetings.
Match preview
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Antalyaspor were second-best from the outset against Fenerbahce and found themselves trailing by the 30th minute. Worse still, they failed to register a single attempt on target, a performance that Emre Belozoglu will hope was nothing more than an off day.
Having conceded just one goal or fewer in three consecutive matches, the Scorpions have now shipped two or more in their last two outings - two against Besiktas in the Turkish Cup and three versus Fenerbahce in the league.
With 30 points from 25 matches, the hosts sit six points above the drop zone and will be eager to avoid an extended winless run that could drag them into the relegation battle.
History does not favour Antalyaspor in this fixture, with three defeats and a draw in their last four meetings against Rizespor. However, they can take confidence from their recent home form, having won one and drawn two of their last three league games at the New Antalya Stadium.
Additionally, the Scorpions remain unbeaten in their last two home encounters with Rizespor, securing a draw and a win.
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Meanwhile, Rizespor will aim to avoid going three matches without a win at Antalyaspor, with their last victory at this ground coming in 2021.
The Black Sea Sparrowhawks arrive in good form, having won their last two league matches, they currently sit eighth in the table with 33 points, 11 adrift of the top four.
After enduring three straight Super Lig defeats, Ilhan Palut's side bounced back with a hard-fought 3-2 win away at Samsunspor before delivering an impressive second-half display to defeat Alanyaspor 3-1 last time out.
Rizespor's away matches this season have always produced a winner, as they remain the only team in the Super Lig yet to record a draw on the road.
With five wins and eight losses in their 13 away fixtures, they will be optimistic about continuing their recent momentum and leaving with another three points.
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Team News
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Antalyaspor will be without Bahadir Ozturk, Mert Yilmaz and Guray Vural, who are all sidelined through injury.
Erdogan Yesilyurt and Emre Uzun have both suffered cruciate ligament tears and will play no further part this season.
On a positive note, Jakub Kaluzinski has served his suspension and is set to return to the starting XI.
For Rizespor, the visitors are set to be without Giannis Papanikolaou and Eray Korkmaz, who are both ruled out due to injury.
Meanwhile, Attila Mocsi is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards, paving the way for Husniddin Aliqulov to step into the backline.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Piric; Balci, Sari, Kelven, Dursun; Kaluzinski, Petrusenko; Van de Streek, Safari, Larsson; Samudio
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Cetin; Sahin, Akaydin, Alikulov, Hojer; Buljubasic, Olawoyin; Ghezzal, Varesanovic, Akintola; Sowe
We say: Antalyaspor 1-0 Caykur Rizespor
With experienced defender Mosci suspended, Rizespor's defence, who are already giving up many chances, will likely become even more porous, and against an Antalyaspor side that have been decent at home, we expect this to be punished, leading to a home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
