In a match that could affect the bottom and top of the table, Kayserispor are set to host Besiktas at Kadir Has Stadium on Monday in each side's sixth Super Lig game of the season.
The home side are third last in 17th place with just three points and have failed to win any of their five league games this term, while the visitors are in fourth place with 13 points and have two games in hand on first-placed Galatasaray, who have 19 points.
Match preview
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The hosts lost 3-0 last time out on September 23 against Goztepe, a match in which they generated no big chances despite having 63% possession.
Kayserispor drew their prior three league matches, including a disappointing 2-2 stalemate against Trabzonspor, who only rescued a point after scoring in the 89th and 90th minutes.
Boss Burak Yilmaz's team have conceded the fifth most xG despite the fact they have played at least one game fewer than 15 other top-flight clubs.
Yilmaz's side have conceded six times in their last three league games and have failed to win any of their last nine Super Lig matches, losing four and drawing five.
Kayserispor have also won just once in their last 13 top-flight home fixtures and have lost six times and drawn on six occasions.
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Opponents Besiktas come into Monday's clash in strong overall form, but they did lose 4-0 against Ajax in their most recent match on Thursday in their first Europa League game of the season.
The Black Eagles created few opportunities of note and produced no big chances during their loss, while Ajax generated 17 shots, created six big chances and hit the woodwork twice.
However, the visitors' defeat on Thursday is their only loss in their nine competitive games this season, with the club winning six times and drawing on two occasions.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who only took charge in June, will be pleased that his team have averaged the highest possession figure, conceded the joint second-fewest goals per match and conceded the second-least xG in the division this term.
Besiktas have won four of their last five league games, but prior to these matches they lost five, drew four and won just two of their 11 previous top-flight games.
The visitors are unbeaten in their two away league fixtures this term, though they have only won once in their last seven away matches, losing three and drawing three in that period.
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Team News
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The hosts will be without centre-backs Arif Kocaman and Majid Hosseini, as well as goalkeeper Bilal Bayazit, until the middle of next month.
Right-back Gokhan Sazdagi was sent off in Kayserispor's match against Trabzonspor and missed his side's last game, but he could return to the starting lineup given he has served his suspension.
Sazdagi may be accompanied by centre-backs Joseph Attamah, Dimitris Kolovetsios and left-back Lionel Carole in defence.
As for the visitors, they will be unable to select centre-back Necip Uysal, while midfielder Mutassim Al Musrati was taken off against Ajax as a result of an injury.
Al Musrati could be replaced by Salih Ucan, and he may be partnered by Jean Onana in a double pivot.
The pair could shield a defensive line of Jonas Svensson, Gabriel Paulista, Felix Uduokhai and Arthur Masuaku.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Piri; Sazdagi, Attamah, Kolovetsios, Carole; Bourabia, Yilmaz; Morte, Cardoso, Kaldirim; Nazon
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Svensson, Paulista, Uduokhai, Masuaku; Onana, Ucan; Rashica, Fernandes, Silva; Immobile
We say: Kayserispor 0-3 Besiktas
It is difficult to overlook Kayserispor's poor underlying defensive metrics, and this defensive frailty should make Besiktas favourites on Monday.
While the visitors could start the game slowly due to fatigue from their Europa League game on Thursday against Ajax, it would not be surprising if they managed to get back to winning ways.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
