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

The visitors have also proven to be a tough team to beat in recent weeks, avoiding defeat in their last six Turkish Super Lig matches.

Match preview

After beginning the season with one win in their opening seven league games, newly-promoted Ankaragucu looked set for a difficult campaign.

However, they have experienced a recent upturn in fortunes, losing only one of their last five matches in the Turkish Super Lig, suggesting they have what it takes to compete in the topflight.

They are also unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions after thrashing third-tier Amed 6-2 in the fourth round of the Turkish Cup in midweek.

Ankaragucu will now turn their attention to their final match before the World Cup break, and the hosts head into the contest in 14th place with one point separating them from safety.

After winning their last two competitive home games, Ankaragucu have the chance to claim a third consecutive home victory on Friday.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor have work to do if they are to defend their Turkish Super Lig title despite avoiding defeat in their previous six league games.

The reigning champions have had to settle for draws in three of their last four games, leaving them seven points adrift of current league leaders Fenerbahce.

Abdullah Avci's side looked set to claim all three points at the weekend when Anastasios Bakasetas and Trezeguet both scored from the penalty spot to give their side a two-goal lead against Konyaspor, but a Mame Biram Diouf brace ensured the contest finished in a 2-2 draw.

The visitors will look to return to winning ways on Friday, and they will be confident of finding the net after scoring at least two goals in five of their six away matches in the Turkish Super Lig this season.

With Trabzonspor set to play before the majority of those above them in the league table, a win against Ankaragucu would move them up from seventh place and into the top three.

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

L

D

W

D

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

D

D

W

D

Trabzonspor form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

W

D

Team News

The hosts expected to be without the services of Eren Derdiyok and Marlon, although Federico Macheda could be on the bench after returning from injury against Amed.

After making a number of changes to the side for the midweek cup game, Omer Erdogan is expected to revert back to the lineup that started against Kasimpasa last weekend.

Ali Sowe will look to add to his three-goal tally for the season when he leads the line for Ankaragucu on Friday.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Edin Visca, Emrehan Gedikli, Serkan Asan, Dorukhan Tokoz due to injury issues.

Bakasetas and Trezeguet are both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, and the pair could be replaced in the starting lineup by Enis Bardhi and Umut Bozok.

After dropping out of the starting lineup at the weekend, Jens Stryger Larsen is set to return to the side for Friday's contest.

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Malcuit, Radakovic, Mujakic, Gureler; Antalyali, Cigerci; Beridze, Pedrinho, Jese; Sowe

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Turkmen, Bartra, Hugo, Denswil; Hamsik, Gbamin; Omur, Bardhi, Gomez; Buzuk

We say: Ankaragucu 1-2 Trabzonspor

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