Preview: Adana Demirspor vs. Ankaragucu - prediction, team news, lineups

The Mavi Simsekler, on the other hand, head into the weekend as one of just two sides unbeaten on home turf this season and will set out to maintain this fine run.

Match preview

Adana Demirspor continue to struggle away from home as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Istanbul Basaksehir at the Başaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium last Monday.

Following an uneventful first half, Deniz Turuk and Serdar Gurler scored either side of Samet Akaydin's 58th-minute equaliser to fire the home side to their 10th league win of the season.

Vincenzo Montella's men have now failed to win any of their last five away games across all competitions, claiming three draws and losing twice since a 4-1 victory over Kasimpasa on October 15.

However, Adana Demirspor now return home, where they are unbeaten in the Super Lig this season, picking up five wins and two draws from seven matches, while conceding just four goals and scoring an impressive 16.

With 30 points from 17 games, the Mavi Simsekler are currently fourth in the league standings, four points adrift of third-placed Istanbul Basaksehir in the final Conference League qualification spot.

Elsewhere, Ankaragucu returned to winning ways in style as they fought back from one goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Kayserispor when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In an action-packed contest at the Eryaman Stadium, Miguel Cardoso opened the scoring in the 14th minute, but Ali Sowe and Emre Kilinic found the back of the net to force a comeback in favour of the hosts.

Prior to that, the Ankara outfit saw their two-game winning streak come to an end on December 27 when they were beaten 2-1 by Umraniyespor before losing 2-1 at Galatasaray in their first outing of the new year one week later.

Omer Erdogan's side have now picked up five wins, four draws and lost eight of their 17 matches to collect 19 points and sit 12th in the Super Lig table, level on points with Gaziantep and Giresunspor.

While Ankaragucu set out to secure successive league wins for the first time since picking up three straight in the second tier back last March, they face the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side who are unbeaten in their previous four encounters, claiming three wins and one draw since November 2012.

Adana Demirspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

W

L

W

L

Adana Demirspor form (all competitions):

D

D

W

L

W

L

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

W

L

L

W

Team News

Adana Demirspor will take to the pitch without the duo of defender Kevin Rodrigues and forward Younes Belhanda, who are currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with their bookings against Basaksehir last time out.

Belhanda has been a standout performer for the home side this season, and the 32-year-old, who has 11 goal involvements in 16 appearances, could be replaced by Norwegian forward Fredrik Gulbrandsen.

Meanwhile, Turkish defender Abdurrahim Dursun will push for a spot in the XI, teaming up with Jonas Svensson, Samet Akaydin and Semih Guler in the back four.

Meanwhile, Ankaragucu will take to the pitch without 28-year-old goalkeeper Gokhan Akkan, who suffered a muscle injury back in November.

Sowe inspired the comeback against Kayserispor last time out by scoring the equaliser and setting Kilinic's winner and the 28-year-old should spearhead the visitors' attack once again.

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:

Ozbir; Svensson, Akaydin, Guler, Dursun; Sari, Ndiaye, Stambouli, Onyekuru; Belhanda, Akbaba

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Gungordu; Malcuit, Mujakic, Radakovic, Beridze; Cigerci, Antalyali; Kilinc, Diack; Sowe

We say: Adana Demirspor 2-0 Ankaragucu

Adana Demirspor have enjoyed a solid campaign this season and currently find themselves in the upper echelons of the league table. While we expect Ankaragucu to put up a fight, Montella's side have been near impenetrable on their home turf so far. We are backing Adana Demirspor to maintain their solid home form and claim a comfortable victory this weekend.

Previews by email