Gaziantep will be hoping to end a six-match winless streak in the Turkish Super Lig when they take on Konyaspor at Gaziantep Stadyumu on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to quickly bounce back from their fourth defeat of the season, while extending their unbeaten run in this fixture.
Match preview
© Imago
Gaziantep were pegged back twice in the 2-2 draw with Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Sehir Stadi last Saturday, extending their wait for a second league win.
David Okereke put the Hawks ahead but they conceded two minutes later, before taking the lead once again via Kacper Kozlowski to head into the break on top. However, Selcuk Inan's men could not hold on once again as they conceded close to the hour mark to end the game in a draw.
The win over Bodrumspor in their opening match of this campaign is the only victory Gaziantep have recorded so far in the current Super Lig season, which has left them in the relegation zone with six points from eight matches (three draws, four losses).
The Hawks are two points from safety, and they head into Sunday's clash with Konyaspor knowing that a win could help them leave the relegation zone if other results favour them.
However, recent meetings against Sunday's visitors have not gone Gaziantep's way, losing twice and drawing once in the last three encounters.
© Imago
Konyaspor could not handle the quality of Besiktas in their last game, and Ali Camdali's men ended up losing 2-0, making it their second loss in the last three Super Lig games and a fourth all season.
The Anatolian Eagles dropped to 11th place following their latest defeat, having picked up 11 points from their opening nine matches, a return rate that will need to become much better if they want to avoid being in a similar situation to the previous season where they scrambled to remain in the top flight.
Sunday will present an opportunity for Konyaspor to pick up another positive result against a side they have found joy against in recent meetings, having won and drawn one each in their last two visits to Gaziantep.
However, Camdali's side have not fared well on the road in recent weeks, losing their last two away matches, though the point of reference will be their two wins they have managed in five away fixtures this season.
Team News
© Imago
Gaziantep will enter this match without Godfrey Stephen, who is currently sidelined with a tendon injury and is not expected to return until next month.
Quentin Daubin recovered from an ankle injury to make the bench last time out, while all eyes will be on Okereke, who opened his season account in the last game.
Meanwhile, Konyaspor boss Camdali will have almost a full squad to choose from, giving him plenty of options for the match.
Josip Calusic is the only doubt, as he is looking to recover in time from a ligament issue.
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Dioudis; Ersoy, Viana, Saborit, Tasdemir; Sorescu, Kozlowski, Ndiaye, Lungoyi; Maxim; Okereke
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Boranijasevic, Yazgili, Demirbag, Guilherme; Ibrahimoglu, Bazoer; Keyta, Ulgin, Pedrinho; Kramer
We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Konyaspor
Gaziantep are yet to win at home, but they have shown resilience in their last two home matches, which earned them draws, and we are expecting the same spirit to help the hosts hold Konyaspor to a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
