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

Hosts Adana Demirspor are currently third in the Super Lig standings and will have aspirations of finishing in the top three for the first time ever this season, while Konyaspor are much worse off than Patrick Kluivert's side, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Adana Demirspor delivered a disappointing performance against Fatih Karagumruk - the team, very unusually for them, failed to develop any real attacking impetus and had to settle for a 2-0 away defeat that leaves them just one point ahead of fourth-placed Besiktas.

This was the first defeat after three straight wins - they defeated Besiktas 4-2 in the last week of September, added another four-goal display with a 4-0 win over Alanyaspor, which was followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Trabzonspor before the winning streak ended with a loss on Monday.

Nevertheless, Demirspor are still unbeaten at home this season, winning five out of five games, with only Fenerbahce keeping pace with the same number of victories.

It is also impressive that Kluivert's side have scored in all of their home games so far - including netting three or more goals on three separate occasions - while they have kept three clean sheets in that time, only conceding in front of their own fans against Besiktas.

Konyaspor, on the other hand, are in a completely different situation from Saturday's opponents in terms of their objectives for the season and are in the thick of the relegation battle with just two wins in their first nine games.

Aleksandar Stanojevic's team are currently on a three-game losing streak after suffering defeats to Pendikspor, Hatayspor and Besiktas, while there have been a total of four defeats in the last five games.

A small glimmer of hope for the visitors could be the fact that their away record is quite decent so far, with only one defeat in four games, but also only one win and two draws.

Defensive weaknesses have been evident in recent games, as they have gone five straight games without keeping a clean sheet, which is a major concern ahead of Saturday's match against one of the most offensively potent teams in the Super Lig.

Adana Demirspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

Adana Demirspor have some injury worries ahead of Saturday's match, with David Akintola and Mario Balotelli currently unavailable.

The former Manchester City striker was on the pitch in the 1-0 home win over Trabzonspor two weeks ago, but missed Monday's game against Fatih Karagumruk and is currently considered doubtful.

His strike partner M'Baye Niang, however, will be eager to compensate for Balotelli's absence in attack. The Senegalese will be looking to get back on the scoresheet after going three games in a row without a goal.

Konyaspor will be without suspended right-back Ahmet Oguz, who is serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, and Cebrail Karayel is expected to take his place on the right side of defence.

Sokol Cikalleshi is the team's leading scorer with three goals in nine games and remains the biggest threat in attack.

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:

Ozbir; Svensson, Gravillon, Guler, Rodrigues; Akbaba, Stambouli, Sari, Belhanda, Nani; Niang

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Karayel, Demirbag, Calvo, Haubert-Sitya; Dikmen, N'Zonzi, Prip, Cicaldau, Moreno; Cikalleshi

We say: Adana Demirspor 3-1 Konyaspor

Adana Demirspor's recent defeat was a sign that they are not yet ready to compete with the Super Lig giants like Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but they are still the better team overall and go into this game as clear favourites.

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