Preview: Ankaragucu vs. Istanbulspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Istanbulspor find themselves third from bottom in the standings, while Ankaragucu sit just outside the relegation zone, making Saturday's clash vitally important for both sides.

Match preview

Enjoying a welcome break from their league struggles, Ankaragucu booked their place in the semi-finals of the Turkish Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory over Trabzonspor on Tuesday.

Ali Sowe bagged a second-half brace to help his side come from behind to dispatch the reining Super Lig champions, taking his tally for the season to 10 goals across all competitions.

Still, there is no getting away from the fact that Ankaragucu have lost five of their last six league matches, with Tolunay Kafkas's men failing to find the back of the net in four of those defeats.

On top of that, Ankaragucu have suffered eight defeats across their previous 11 league outings, while only one team - Istanbulspor - has registered more Super Lig losses this season.

Although Kafkas's side can take confidence from a 2-0 home victory over Alanyaspor last month, last season's second-tier champions must improve if they are to remain in the top flight.

Istanbulspor also have plenty of work to do if they want to avoid an immediate return to the second tier, as they have struggled to adapt to the demands of the Super Lig following promotion via the playoffs last term.

Indeed, the Bulls have managed to win just seven of their 25 league games this season, recording three draws and 15 losses in the process, and they also have the second-worst defensive record in the division.

Istanbulspor head into Saturday's clash on the back of two straight defeats, having suffered a 3-1 loss at Besiktas before registering a 1-0 home defeat to Andrea Pirlo's Fatih Karagumruk.

It is also worth noting that Fatih Tekke's men have lost four of their last seven league encounters, with heavy defeats to Trabzonspor and Kayserispor preceding the recent failures.

Having lost seven of their previous nine away league matches - conceding 22 goals along the way - Istanbulspor must improve their away form in order to steer clear of relegation trouble.

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

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Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

Ankaragucu look set to be without left winger Milson for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from a thigh strain.

Former USA youth international Gboly Ariyibi is also expected to miss Saturday's showdown due to a back injury, leaving Tolunay Kafkas short of wide attacking options.

Ali Sowe will continue to lead the line after netting a double last time out, with Emre Kilinc and Ghayas Zahid operating behind the lone striker.

As for the visitors, they will be without Eduard Rroca this weekend as the Albanian forward continues to nurse a muscle injury.

Defensive midfielder Onur Ergun is also likely to miss the trip to the capital after failing to make the matchday squad for Monday's defeat to Fatih Karagumruk.

Having bagged 10 goals and four assists this term, North Macedonia international Valon Ethemi remains Istanbulspor's biggest attacking threat.

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Gungordu; Radakovic, Cankaya, Mujakic; Malcuit, Dokanovic, Antalyali, Hanousek; Zahid, Kilinc; Sowe

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Duhaney, Erdogan, Yesil, Yasar; Ba; Lokilo, Sarikaya, Loshaj, Ethemi; Gultekin

We say: Ankaragucu 1-0 Istanbulspor

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