While on the same number of points but one spot below, Caykur Rizespor will hope to move above Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig table when both teams meet at Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Saturday.
Both teams are on 19 points, with the hosts in ninth spot, below the visitors due to an inferior goal difference, though having played one fewer game.
Match preview
© Imago
Rizespor have enjoyed a positive turnaround in form since the start of October, picking up six wins from eight games across all competitions in that period, with five of those victories coming in the Super Lig.
The Black Sea Sparrowhawk had won three league games in a row heading into their last clash against Gaziantep, but could not make it four straight matches, losing the game 1-0, after failing to find a way back since the fourth minute when goalkeeper Ivo Grbic put the ball into his own net.
Ilhan Palut's side will be confident about picking up the pieces when they host Konyaspor, given that the hosts are on a four-match winning streak on home soil across all competitions, while they are also unbeaten in 20 home matches against the visitors.
Rizespor have won and drawn 10 each of those 20 matches as hosts in this fixture, scoring 32 times and conceding 17, though the last time they hosted this fixture it ended in a goalless draw.
© Imago
Konyaspor will head into this clash feeling some sour taste given that they conceded a goal in stoppage time to settle for a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor last time out despite going ahead since the 16th minute.
With the result, Recep Ucar's side extended their unbeaten streak across all competitions to four matches, with two draws and a win in the Super Lig alongside an emphatic 9-0 victory over third division side Kepez Belediyespor in the Turkish Cup.
Having played one extra Super Lig game than most of the teams around them, the Anatolian Eagle have more riding on Saturday's game, as a defeat could see them drop closer to the relegation zone if those teams win their outstanding games.
Konyaspor have had a mixed record on the road this season, picking up three away wins compared to two at home, but also five away defeats compared to just one on home soil.
Team News
© Imago
Rizespor have no suspension or injury worries ahead of this clash, while they will be welcoming back 26-year-old Greek midfielder Giannis Papanikolaou who was suspended for the last game.
Amir Hadziahmetovic and Babajide David Akintola returned to the starting XI last time out, and both players are expected to retain their spots in midfield, while Casper Hojer Nielsen also got some minutes for the first time since recovering from injury and is in contention to start on Saturday.
Ali Sowe, the team's leading scorer with five goals, is expected to start in attack once again, with Dal Varesanovic providing support behind him.
For the visitors, Ogulcan Ulgun is suspended for this game after accumulating an unhealthy number of yellow cards.
The Anatolian Eagle will also remain without veteran centre-back Josip Calusic, who is out until December with a ligament injury.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Pala; Papanikolaou, Olawoyin; Ghezzal, Varesanovic, Babajide; Sowe
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Boranijasevic, Bazoer, Demirbag, Guilherme; Jevtovic; Ndao, Pedrinho, Aleksic, Erdogan; Nayir
We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-0 Konyaspor
Rizespor dominated the game against Gaziantep and were unlucky to lose, while they have also been almost unstoppable at home in recent weeks.
This, combined with their dominance as hosts in this fixture, and Konyaspor's unreliable away performances, is why we are predicting a slender win for the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
