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

The visitors, meanwhile, are still searching for their first away victory this campaign, after losing two and drawing one of their first three games on the road.

Match preview

Adana Demirspor claimed an impressive point away at Besiktas on Tuesday night, as they came from three goals down to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw in Istanbul.

With just half an hour to go, Vincenzo Montella's side looked dead and buried, however a free kick from Matias Vargas in the 60th minute gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.

As their confidence grew, Italian striker Mario Balotelli came off the bench to score in the 79th minute, before former Nottingham Forest forward Britt Assombalonga bundled home a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser to snatch a point right at the death.

That result still leaves Montella's men just one point above the relegation zone, after claiming only six points from as many Super Lig matches so far this term.

Adana Demirspor have a good record against Saturday's opponents Gaziantep, losing just one of their last seven meetings against them.

A victory for the Blue Lightnings, who are taking part in their first top flight campaign since 1994-95, could move them four points clear of 17th-placed Antalyaspor, who they are to face next week.

After failing to win any of their opening three Super Lig matches, Gaziantep have since claimed seven points from a possible nine available, including all three points in a narrow 1-0 win against Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.

Muhammet Demir's goal after just 10 seconds was enough to separate the two sides and that result has seen Erol Bulut's men climb into the top half of the table, two points clear of Saturday's opponents Adana Demirspor.

Following their promotion to the Turkish top flight for the first time in their history in 2019, Gaziantep have enjoyed two comfortable campaigns, finishing in eighth and ninth respectively.

This year, Bulut is hoping to see progress from his side, who are aiming to secure European qualification for the first time.

Victory for GFK this weekend against Adana Demirspor - who they last defeated 1-0 in April 2018 - could see them climb as high as seventh in the table.

Adana Demirspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Adana Demirspor will still be without David Akintola and Younes Belhanda, who are both suffering with respective groin and muscle injuries.

Montella could be tempted to name the same starting lineup that played in midweek, though the likes of Balotelli and 37-year-old midfielder Gokhan Inler will be hoping they can force their way into the first XI ahead of Birkir Bjarnason and Sinan Kurt respectively.

As for Gaziantep, Furkan Soyalp (appendectomy), Alexandru Maxim (finger) and Pawel Olkowski (groin) are all unavailable for selection this weekend.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Steven Caulker is set to partner former Chelsea centre-back Papy Djilobodji at the heart of the defence, while an attacking midfield trio of Angelo Sagal, Recep Niyaz and Joao Figueiredo could also start in behind lone striker Demir.

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:

Kaplan; Svensson, Akaydin, Deli, Rassoul; Stambouli, Inler; Vargas, Balotelli, Ezeh; Assombalonga

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Ceylan, Caulker, Djilobodji, Pehlivan; Erdogan, Merkel; Sagal, Niyaz, Figueiredo; Demir

We say: Adana Demirspor 1-1 Gaziantep

Both Adana Demirspor and Gaziantep will head into Saturday's fixture believing that they have what it takes to secure all three points.

However, with little to separate these two evenly-matched sides, a score draw could be on the cards at the Yeni Adana Stadyumu.