Caykur Rizesporvs.Antalyaspor

The hosts are two points off fourth position while the visitors are five points behind in the race for European qualification.

Match preview

Rizespor secured their second consecutive win in emphatic fashion, thrashing league bottom-dwellers Istanbulspor 4-0.

Ibrahim Olawoyin opened the scoring early in the fourth minute, before Martin Minchev bagged a brace, scoring either side of half-time. Babajide David added a fourth in the 90th minute to complete the rout.

This victory sees the Black Sea Sparrowhawks close the gap to fourth-placed Besiktas, who dropped points last time out, to just two points.

With European qualification now a realistic possibility, Rizespor will hope to maintain their momentum and make it three wins in a row when they host Antalyaspor at Rize City Stadium on Sunday.

Home advantage has been crucial for Ilhan Palut's side this season. They have picked up 33 points from 16 home matches, making them the third-best team at home in the league.

The Black Sea Sparrowhawks will be looking to extend their winning streak against Antalyaspor to four consecutive home victories, having won the last three meetings between the two sides at Rize City Stadium.

Antalyaspor were held to a 1-1 draw by Ankaragucu in their last league outing on April 2 at Corendon Airlines Park.

Sergen Yalcin's men took the lead into the break after Erdogan Yesilyurt found the net five minutes before half-time. However, they were pegged back in the 64th minute when Efkan Bekiroglu equalised for Ankaragucu.

As a result, the Scorpions remain eighth in the Turkish Super Lig table, five points behind Besiktas in the race for the final European spot.

However, they will be looking to build on their recent 2-1 away win over Besiktas on March 16 and record back-to-back victories on the road this weekend.

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

L

W

W

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

W

L

W

D

Team News

Rizespor will remain without Benhur Keser, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu is also sidelined for an extended period on the treatment table with an ACL injury.

Minchev should spearhead the attack once again while Ibrahim Olawoyin provides support behind him.

Antalyaspor have no player reported injured or suspended, which leaves Yalcin with a wealth of options ahead of Sunday's clash.

Adam Buksa has 13 goals from 28 Super Lig appearances so far and will look to add more when he starts in attack once again.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Sahin, Alikulov, Topcu, Pehlivan; Sarikaya, Shelvey; Varesanovic, Olawoyin, Akintola; Minchev

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:

Leite; Yesilyurt, Ozturk, Sari, Balci; Kaluzinski, Safuri, Saric; Larsson, Van de Streek, Buksa

We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-1 Antalyaspor

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