Preview: Alanyaspor vs. Gaziantep - prediction, team news, lineups

While the home side are in 10th position, Gaziantep are two points better off in ninth place, and they will be aiming to record a third consecutive victory in all competitions.

Match preview

Alanyaspor have struggled for consistency this season, with their 11 league games yielding three wins, four draws and four defeats.

Although they are yet to record back-to-back wins this term, Alanyaspor have collected four points from their last two matches.

After beating Antalyaspor 3-2, Francesco Farioli's side looked to be heading to a defeat when Galatasaray raced into a two-goal lead in Sunday's contest.

However, Alanyaspor showed great character to fight back to snatch a point thanks to Jure Balkovec's strike and Koka's 91st-minute equaliser.

With only one of their five home games this season ending in defeat, the hosts will be confident that they can claim a positive result on Friday.

Meanwhile, Gaziantep will be aiming to claim a third consecutive victory after beating Konyaspor and Sariyer in their last two matches.

A 1-0 away win over Konyaspor helped Gaziantep end a six-game winless run, before they cruised to a comfortable victory against third-tier opposition in the Turkish Cup.

Joao Figueiredo's brace as well as goals from Abdulkadir Parmak and Alexander Merkel secured a 4-0 win against Sariyer in the third-round of the cup, ensuring Gaziantep remain unbeaten at home in the 2022-23 campaign.

Erol Bulut's side will now turn their attention to Friday's contest where they will have the chance to claim consecutive away wins for the first time this season.

After keeping their first away clean sheet of the campaign in their most recent away match, Gaziantep will be looking for another strong defensive performance against Alanayapsor.

Alanyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

D

L

W

D

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

L

L

D

W

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Yunus Bahadir, while their are doubts over the availability of Ivan Cavaleiro, Mert-Yusuf Torlak and Erencan Yardimci.

Balkovec came off the bench at half time to score against Galatasaray, and the left-back is set to be rewarded with a starting place.

Koka will look to add to the three goals he has scored this season when he leads the line for Alanyaspor on Friday.

As for the visitors, Mustafa Eskihellac is a doubt due to an injury issue, while Stelios Kitsiou is suspended due an accumulation of yellow cards.

Ertugrul Ersoy and Papy Djilobodji were both suspended for the league win over Konyaspor, but after returning to the side for the cup victory against Sariyer, the pair are expected to be included in Friday's starting lineup.

Having scored six goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, Figueiredo will pose one of Gaziantep's main goal threats.

Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:

Runarsson; Aksoy, Bayir, Rassoul; Balkovec; Lusamba, Fer, Bekiroglu; Karaca, Candeias; Koka

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Ersoy, Djilobdji, Toscal; Artan, Soyalp, Jevtovic, Sagal; Figueiredo, Maxim, Pekhart

We say: Alanyaspor 2-1 Gaziantep

Previews by email