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

Following the departure of Omer Erdogan, Ankaragucu find themselves outside the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone on goal difference, while Besiktas occupy third place in the table.

Match preview

Besiktas have seen their title hopes fade in recent weeks due to a three-match winless run, with the 2020-21 Super Lig champions taking just two points from a possible nine since their last victory.

After drawing 1-1 with Fatih Karagumruk, the Black Eagles suffered a 1-0 defeat at Sivasspor before playing out a goalless draw with Antalyaspor last time out, leaving them eight points shy of second-placed Fenerbahce and 14 points behind table-topping Galatasaray.

It is worth noting, however, that Galatasaray have won each of their previous 12 Super Lig games, so it was always going to be difficult for Besiktas to keep pace with the runaway leaders.

That said, Senol Gunes's men enjoyed a sizeable winning streak of their own not so long ago, securing five successive league victories before dropping out of form.

When you look at the bigger picture, Besiktas have lost just four of their 22 Super Lig encounters this term, picking up 11 wins and seven draws along the way, so they will be confident of returning to winning ways against struggling Ankaragucu.

By contrast, Ankaragucu have lost 11 of their 21 league outings this season, registering six wins and four draws in the process, and they find themselves 18 points behind Besiktas as a result.

Sitting on 22 points, the club from the capital occupy 15th place in the Turkish Super Lig table, but with eighth-placed Konyaspor and 18th-placed Istanbulspor separated by just six points, it feels like the majority of the league's teams are in real danger of relegation.

Omer Erdogan resigned from his role as Ankaragucu manager following last month's 2-0 defeat to Fatih Karagumruk, with former assistant coach Sedat Agcay stepping up to lead the team.

Not only have Ankaragucu lost three of their last four Super Lig games, but they have also lost five of their previous seven, so Agcay will need to hit the ground running if he wants to guide the club to top-flight safety.

However, after managing to keep only two clean sheets in 10 away league matches this season, Ankaragucu's players will struggle to hand the new manager the start that he desires.

Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

W

D

L

D

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

L

W

L

L

Team News

Besiktas will welcome back Arthur Masuaku from suspension on Sunday, with the former West Ham United man coming in to replace Umut Meras at left-back.

Owing to multiple injury setbacks this season, Rachid Ghezzal remains sidelined, so Nathan Redmond will continue to operate on the wing for the foreseeable future.

Dele Alli was substituted at half time in last weekend's goalless draw with Antalyaspor, casting doubt over his place in the starting lineup for the visit of Ankaragucu.

The visitors, meanwhile, have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of Sunday's clash, meaning that Sedat Agcay has a full-strength squad at his disposal.

Having bagged five goals and three assists in the league this season, top scorer Ali Sowe will continue to lead the line for Ankaragucu, while Georgian winger Giorgi Beridze will offer support in attack.

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Rosier, Sanuc, Saiss, Masuaku; Ucan, Fernandes; Redmond, Alli, Tosun; Meluka

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Uzum, Radakovic, Mujakic, Xavier; Diack, Antalyali; Kilinc, Pedrinho, Beridze; Sowe

We say: Besiktas 2-0 Ankaragucu

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