Saturday's Turkish Super Lig action kicks off with a battle of two sides looking to steer further away from the drop zone, as Kayserispor host Ankaragucu at the Kadir Has Stadium.
The hosts will head into this match with 32 points after 26 league matches, while the visitors are on 29 points and looking to pull away from the sides in the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Kayserispor tasted victory for the first time in two months across all competition last time out with a 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Two early goals from Duckens Nazon and Ali Karimi quickly gave the Anatolian Stars a comfortable cushion before Deniz Turuc pulled one back for Basaksehir two minutes before the hour mark.
Aylton Boa Morte added a third for Kayserispor with six minutes left to play in regular time but Hamza Gureler scored another for the home side to ensure a tense finish.
The hosts are now just four points ahead of Gaziantep FK, who are currently the first side below the dotted line and know they have to go on a positive run to ensure safety.
Following seven consecutive defeats from mid-December to the end of January, the club decided to terminate Recep Ucar's tenure after 21 matches and was replaced by Burak Yilmaz.
Since Yilmaz's appointment on January 27, the new boss is still unbeaten in four matches, recording three consecutive draws and a win.
Kayserispor have collected 20 points out of a possible 39 in their home matches this season, and the new manager will now be aiming to pick up a first win on home turf since December 10.
Ankaragucu have only taken one point from their previous four league outings, with defeats to Fenerbahce and Konyaspor and a draw against Sivasspor preceding last weekend's home defeat to Galatasaray.
Emre Belozoglu's side could not find a response to three first-half goals from Gala, leaving them without a goal in three consecutive league matches.
With one point separating them from the drop zone, the Ankara-based side have work to do if they are to extend their stay in the top flight into a third consecutive season.
Belozoglu's men are back on the road where they have failed to win in their last 10 attempts in the league, leaving their confidence short.
However, having won their last three encounters against Saturday's opposition, they will be hoping to emulate these results to stop their poor run.
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
Team News
Kayserispor will be without Karimi, who is suspended for one match due to an accumulation of cautions.
Defender Majid Hosseini has missed the last 13 matches for the hosts with a muscle injury and is still at least a couple of weeks away from a return, while Anthony Uzodimma will remain sidelined until next month.
Nazon and Boa Morte should remain in the front three after both players found the net last time out, while Miguel Cardoso should complete the trio.
Ankaragucu will be without the services of defender Alper Uludag who has missed the last couple of matches with a knee injury.
Stelios Kitsiou will also miss the clash as he serves a one-match suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazdagi, Jeanvier, Kocaman, Carole; Bourabia, Shukurov; Boa Morte, Sazdagi, Cardoso; Nazon
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Gungordu; Kitsiou, Radakovic, Mujakic, Hanousek; Pedrinho, Cigerci, Guneren; Morutan, Cephas, Sowe
We say: Kayserispor 2-0 Ankaragucu
Ankaragucu have struggled in recent games, not just because they are losing but they have also struggled to find the net. Kayserispor got their confidence back in their last match and are favorites in this match up.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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