Kasimpasavs.Eyupspor

The 52-year-old Turkish football manager and former player has been in charge for two games, and both games have ended in draws.

Match preview

Kasimpasa remain without a win since picking up the memorable 3-1 victory away at Besiktas on November 2, playing three matches since then, losing one and drawing the most recent two.

The Apaches managed to secure a 2-2 draw with Trabzonspor last time, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Nuno da Costa, after Keles's side had lost their first-half lead by conceding within three second-half minutes.

Due to the teams below them failing to capitalize on their three-match winless streak, Kasimpasa have remained in 14th place, but they are living dangerously close to the relegation zone, with just two points between them and 16th-placed Alanyaspor.

Things are not looking bright for the Apaches heading into Friday's fixture judging by their showing so far in this campaign, with the hosts yet to win on home soil despite playing seven home matches.

However, while this will be the first ever meeting between both teams, they have met 18 times across other competitions, and though their last encounter was in 2005, Kasimpasa are on a four-match unbeaten run in this fixture, with three wins within that period.

While Keles can be appreciative of his team's resilience in the two games he has managed, getting over the line against one of the top teams in the league this season would require more, especially from the defence who have conceded 21 goals in 14 matches.

Meanwhile, Eyupspor will hope that they can go on another decent run after ending a two-match winless streak with an emphatic 3-0 victory at home to Samsunspor last Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Arda Turan's side turned the heat up in the second half, with a brace from Mame Thiam and a strike from Halil Akbunar within the 54th and 69th minute sealing an important victory.

The win helped Eyupspor remain in fourth place with 26 points, while they went within three points of third-placed Samsunspor, though just one ahead of fifth-placed Besiktas who have played one fewer game.

The biggest issue for the Istanbul-based side has been their away form, which is miles behind their home form, with just two victories in eight matches on the road compared to five in seven at home, and just one win in their last six.

Having conceded 50% more goals on the road than at home, Turan will know that his side's ability to defend properly away from home has been what has cost them in such games, and a problem they must solve for an opportunity to take some points at Kasimpasa.

Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

W

L

D

D

Eyupspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

W

L

D

W

Team News

Kasimpasa have some injuries in defence, as they will remain without their captain Kenneth Omeruo until the new year due to a ligament injury.

Another defender, Mortadha Ben Ouannes, is suspended for this clash after accumulating an unhealthy number of yellow cards.

Top scorer, Da Costa returned to the score sheet last time out, and he will be hoping to add to his five league goals when he leads the line once again.

Meanwhile, Turan will also be missing Fredrik Midtsjo who is out for the season with a serious knee injury, while Recep Niyaz is also sidelined until March with the same issue.

Umut Meras returned to the team last time out, making a substitute appearance, and Tasos Chatzigiovanis is expected to also make a return to the team on Friday.

Thiam, who became the club's outright top scorer with eight goals after his brace against Trabzonspor, is expected to start in a front two alongside second-top scorer Ahmed Kutucu.

Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:

Gianniotis; Winck, Ozcan, Opoku, Rodrigues; Gul; Brekalo, Kara, Cafu, Fall; da Costa

Eyupspor possible starting lineup:

Ozer; Bingol, Claro, Yalcin, Erkin; Akbunar, Kabaskal, Akbaba, Ampem; Kutucu, Thiam

We say: Kasimpasa 1-1 Eyupspor

This is a game between a home side that has been poor on home soil, and an away team that has struggled on the road.

Written by

Joshua Cole

Previews by email