Antalyasporvs.Besiktas

The 14th-placed hosts will aim to snap a four-game losing streak, while sixth-placed Besiktas will look to extend their four-game unbeaten run in the top flight, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking charge of the visitors for the first time in the league.

Match preview

Following an inconsistent run in the league, Antalyaspor's hierarchy relieved Alex of his duties, paving the way for the appointment of former Fenerbahce caretaker manager Emre Belozoglu on January 14.

However, the former Turkish international did not get his reign off to the best start, with his side losing 1-0 to Goztepe at the Gursel Aksel Stadium in gameweek 20, extending their losing streak to four matches.

Their latest defeat leaves them 14th in the standings with 21 points from 19 matches — two places and five points above the relegation zone.

Chief among the reasons the Scorpions are in the bottom half of the table is their leaky defence — a situation highlighted by the 38 goals conceded already — a record which is the second-worst in the elite division.

While the hosts have struggled recently, they boast one of the best home forms in the league, winning three of their last four fixtures and scoring eight goals in that time — taking their win tally to five, along with one draw and three losses in nine matches on their turf.

Although not enjoying the best of form, the home side will draw confidence from their recent showings at the Corendon Airlines Park.

Meanwhile, Besiktas revived their hopes of progressing in the UEFA Europa League with a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao to usher in the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.

The Norwegian tactician and his team will now turn their attention to hostilities in the Super Lig aiming to build on their win on Thursday with a strong showing against Antalyaspor on Sunday.

Placed sixth in the table with 31 points, three behind fourth-placed Goztepe who occupy the final UEFA Conference League spot, the Black and Whites will be keen to secure a win on Sunday to boost their chances of clinching a ticket to Europe next season.

Although they claimed two victories in their first three away fixtures of the season, the Istanbul-based team are winless in their last six encounters on the road.

Nevertheless, the visiting side will be confident ahead of this contest, having won three of their previous five head-to-head meetings against the hosts, including a 4-2 triumph in the reverse fixture.

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

L

L

L

L

Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

D

D

W

D

Besiktas form (all competitions):

L

D

D

W

D

W

Team News

Emre Belozoglu will be without Emre Uzun and Erdogan Yesilyurt, with both players sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear, while Burak Ingenc is out due to a meniscus injury.

With Soner Dikmen still unavailable, Ramzi Safouri is expected to take his place in midfield.

Braian Samudio, Adolfo Gaich and Sam Larsson, the latter of whom has five goals this season, are all expected to start in attack for the hosts.

Besiktas also have several injury concerns ahead of Sunday's fixture, with trusted defender Tayyip Talha Sanuc sidelined with a ruptured tendon but Emirhan Topcu will step up in his absence.

Necip Uysal and Gabriel Paulista are out with long-term injuries and are not expected to be in the squad.

Meanwhile, Ciro Immobile, who has 10 goals this season, will lead the attack for the visiting side.

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:

Piric; Vural, Sari, Kelven, Yilmaz; Van de Streek, Safouri, Kaluzinski; Larsson, Gaich, Samudio

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Masuaku, Uduokhai, Topcu, Svensson; Musrati, Fernandes; Rafa, Muci, Rashica; Immobile

We say: Antalyaspor 1-2 Besiktas

Besiktas come into this match as overwhelming favourites to claim all three points despite their six-game winless streak on the road.

However, the visiting side have had the better of their exchanges in recent times, and they will be buoyed by their recent win in Europe, therefore, back Besiktas to claim a 2-1 win.

Written by

Ademola Adediji

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