Unbeaten Kayserispor will look to continue their impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign when they play host to Gaziantep on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are still looking for their first points of the Turkish Super Lig season after losing their opening four matches.
Match preview
Kayserispor have proven to be a resolute force in the opening stages of the new season, with their four matches producing one win and three draws.
After taking a valuable point off reigning champions Galatasaray in their league opener, Kayserispor played out a 1-1 draw with Istanbulspor — a result which maintained their unbeaten start but it also extended their winless run to 10 league games.
Fortunately for Kayserispor, their wait for a win came to an end on matchday three when they clinched a 2-1 win over Samsunspor courtesy of goals from Anthony Uzodimma and Mame Thiam.
Despite recording their first league win since April 10, Kayserispor were unable to follow that result with another victory after their most recent outing against Antalyaspor finished all square.
While they may have a win under their belt, Saturday's hosts are still searching for their first clean sheet of the season — something that they will look to rectify against Gaziantep.
After their 2022-23 season was curtailed in February due to a devastating earthquake, Gaziantep have endured a difficult start on their return to competitive action.
They were edged out by Fenerbahce in their opening league game, before they lost to both Sivasspor and Konyaspor by two-goal margins.
Gaziantep's poor run of form continued in their final game prior to the international break as Galatasaray cruised to a 3-0 victory after Mauro Icardi netted a second-half brace to follow Kerem Akturkoglu's opener.
Marius Sumudica's side are left languishing at the foot of the Turkish Super Lig table, having conceded 10 goals in four matches — more than any other club in the top flight.
As one of two Turkish Super Lig teams yet to collect a point this season, Gaziantep will be determined to get off the mark in Saturday's away trip.
Team News
Midfielder Miguel Cardoso is unlikely to feature for the hosts after he missed the 1-1 draw with Antalyaspor through injury.
Despite having to settle for a point in their final game before the international break, Kayserispor boss Cagdas Atan could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Saturday's contest.
After scoring in each of Kayserispor's last three matches, Thiam will be looking to continue his impressive form when he leads the line against Gaziantep.
As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon forward Ilker Karakas, who has missed the opening month of the season with an injury issue.
Gaziantep have made a number of new additions in the final two weeks of the transfer window, recruiting Denis Dragus, Junior Morais, Florin Nita, Ogulcan Caglayan, Nicolas N'Koulou and Albian Ajeti.
Brayan Riascos, who has also joined the club this summer, is set to make his third consecutive start, and he will be determined to open his goalscoring account for the club.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Uzodimma; Attamah, Kocaman, Carole; Kemen, Karimi, Ackah, Sazdagi; Civelek; Thiam
Gaziantep possible starting lineup:
Sen; Artan, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, Eskihellac; Gradel, Soyalp, Jevtovic, Bikel, Maxim; Riascos
We say: Kayserispor 2-0 Gaziantep
Kayserispor may have drawn three of their opening four games, but we think that they will claim all three points when they go up against a Gaziantep side who have begun the season with four consecutive defeats.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
