Eyupsporvs.Istanbul

The hosts currently sit fifth in the table, level on 44 points with fourth-placed Besiktas, while the visitors are in ninth, trailing by eight points.

Match preview

Eyupspor have surpassed expectations in their debut top-flight season, but their early-season success has made their recent struggles feel like a disappointment.

Initially, avoiding relegation would have been considered a success for Arda Turan's side, yet with nine games remaining, anything outside the top four could now seem underwhelming.

A strong five-match unbeaten run between December and January—comprising four wins and a draw—firmly established Eyupspor as contenders for European qualification, but they have since managed just one victory in six games, suffering three defeats and drawing twice.

They ended a four-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Konyaspor but failed to build momentum, conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Goztepe before the international break, with goalscorer Tayfur Bingol receiving his marching orders in the 74th minute to further compound their frustrations.

With Besiktas also faltering in recent weeks, consistency in the final stretch of the campaign could give Eyupspor an advantage in the race for fourth, and they will fancy their chances against Istanbul Basaksehir, who struggled to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and are enduring a difficult spell themselves.

Despite boasting the joint-fourth best home record in the league, Eyupspor have won just one of their last three matches at their own ground, though that victory came in their most recent outing, a 2-1 win over Konyaspor.

Istanbul Basaksehir, meanwhile, come into the match in poor form, having lost their last two league fixtures, conceding three goals in each of those matches.

A 3-1 defeat to Kayserispor was followed by a heavy 3-0 home loss against Trabzonspor just before the break, a match in which Deniz Turuc was sent off in the 64th minute for a second bookable offence.

The Grey Owls have secured just two wins in their last seven league outings, losing three of their last four, and their European hopes have faded away with each passing week.

They have struggled in both attack and defence, epitomised by leading scorer Krzysztof Piatek, who has failed to score in his last five league appearances, during which time, Basaksehir have managed just two goals while conceding eight.

The Grey Owls' away form has also been concerning, with two defeats and a draw in their last three outings, leaving things looking bleak ahead of Monday's clash, and a loss will increase the likelihood of finishing outside the top half of the table.

Eyupspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

L

L

W

D

Eyupspor form (all competitions):

Istanbul Basaksehir Turkish Super Lig form:

W

D

L

W

L

L

Istanbul Basaksehir form (all competitions):

Team News

Eyupspor will be without three suspended players, including Emre Mor and Caner Erkin, both of whom have accumulated too many yellow cards, and Bingol, who is also unavailable after his sending-off against Goztepe.

Long-term absentees Fredrik Midtsjo and Taskin Ilter remain sidelined and will not feature again this season.

Basaksehir also have injury concerns, with Taras Stepanenko, Sinan Gumus and Leo Dubois all ruled out for several weeks.

With Turuc suspended after his sending off last time out, Christopher Operi is likely to slot in at right wing-back if Cagdas Atan sticks to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Festy Ebosele is still recovering from an injury and is unlikely to start, while Onur Ergun remains unavailable for selection.

Eyupspor possible starting lineup:

Ozer; Claro, Vezo, Yalcin, Meras; Akbaba, Kayan, Kabasakal; Akbunar, Thiam, Ampem

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Sengezer; Duarte, Opoku, Ba; Sari, Ozdemir, Sahiner, Operi; Crespor, Gunes; Piatek

We say: Eyupspor 1-0 Istanbul Basaksehir

Written by

Joshua Cole

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