Gaziantep FK will be looking to maintain their new-found form when they welcome Ankaragucu to the Gaziantep Stadium in round 14 of the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.
The Falcons are currently on a run of three consecutive victories across all competitions and have won each of their last four home games since the first week of September.
Match preview
Gaziantep went into the international break in sky-high spirits as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Alanyaspor when the sides squared off at the Bahcesehir Okullari Arena on November 11.
Despite being on the back foot and seeing less than 30% of the ball possession, the visitors made their chances count as Alexandru Maxim, Denis Dragus and Brayan Riascos all found the back of the net to hand the hosts a fourth consecutive league defeat.
Gaziantep have now won each of their last three matches across all competitions, including a 4-0 victory over third-tier Efeler in the Turkish Cup on November 2 courtesy of goals from Lazar Markovic, Ilker Karakas, Dragus and Riascos.
With 15 points from 12 matches, Marius Sumudica's men are currently 11th in the Super Lig standings but could move level with seventh-placed Antalyaspor with all three points this weekend.
Gaziantep now return home, where they are currently on a four-game winning streak, scoring nine goals and keeping four clean sheets since a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray on November 2.
Ankaragucu, on the other hand, were one of the few active sides during the international break as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Genclerbirligi in the TSYD Friendly Cup last Saturday.
This followed a 4-0 hammering against Antalyaspor in the Super Lig on November 10, when Sam Larsson, Sagiv Yehezkel, Adam Buksa and Britt Assombalonga all found the back of the net to hand Nuri Sahin's side all three points.
Ankaragucu are now unbeaten in four of their last five matches across all competitions, picking up one draw and three wins, including a 2-0 victory over third-tier outfit Malatya Arguvan Spor in the Turkish Cup on November 1.
With 13 points from 12 matches, Emre Belozoglu's men are currently 14th in the Super Lig standings, level on points with 15th-placed Pendikspor and just three points above the relegation zone.
While Ankaragucu will be looking to build on last Saturday's friendly result, next up is the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side who have won each of their most recent six meetings and are unbeaten in their last six, stretching back to a 4-0 victory in April 2018.
Team News
Gaziantep remain without Turkish defender Ulas Zengin, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off with a severe injury in July's friendly against Orenburg.
He is joined on the club's injury list by former Liverpool man Markovic and Swiss forward Albion Ajeti, who are currently recuperating from muscle and thigh injuries respectively.
Dragus and Maxim, who have scored a combined five goals in the last three matches, have been instrumental in the Falcons' recent turnaround and will look to deliver the goods once again.
As for Ankaragucu, they will be without the services of Greek defender Stelios Kitsiou, who has missed each of the last six matches after picking up a knee injury against Konyaspor on September 24.
Portuguese midfielder Pedrinho was forced off midway through the first half against Antalyaspor last time out and the 30-year-old is a major doubt for this weekend's clash.
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Nita; Eskihellac, Kizildag, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, Morais; Ozcicek, Soyalp, Maxim; Dragus, Gradel
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Gikiewicz; Bilazer, Mujakic, Radakovic, Hanousek; Cigerci; Chatzigiovanis, Morutan, Bekiroglu, Rodrigues; Sowe
We say: Gaziantep 2-0 Ankaragucu
Gaziantep have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and will be backing themselves against an Ankaragucu side who have lost each of their previous four encounters. The Falcons have won four consecutive home games since September and we are backing them to claim all three points once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
