Preview: Caykur Rizespor vs. Hatayspor - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors hover precariously above the relegation zone, while the hosts chase European aspirations.

Match preview

Caykur Rizespor have gone seven games without defeat in all competitions since the Super Lig loss against Gaziantep on November 6, leaving them in contention for the European spots.

Ilhan Palut's men have recorded four victories and three draws in all competitions in the past six weeks, with their Christmas day visit to Kasimpasa ending in a 2-2 draw last time out.

Adolfo Gaich's brace ensured Rizespor clawed back twice after falling behind to Haris Hajradinovic and Nuno Da Costa's strikes.

Only promoted back to the top flight this year after a brief stint in the second division, Rizespor are having a solid campaign so far and currently occupy seventh place in the standings, three points behind fourth-placed Kayserispor.

Palut's side have enjoyed playing in front of their home support so far, earning over 65% of their total points from home matches, with Galatasaray inflicting their only defeat at the Caykur Didi Stadium so far.

Against Hatayspor, a team they have historically dominated, winning five of their last 11 encounters and four of their last five at home, Rizespor have every reason to be confident.

After withdrawing from the league last season, Hatayspor had a stellar start to the 2023-24 campaign and were unbeaten after the first eight matches with three wins and five draws.

However, their form plummeted since the October international break, having only won one of their last nine while drawing two and losing six.

The Star of the South's most recent match saw them lose 2-1 at home to Besiktas, marking their fifth consecutive league match without a win.

Volkan Demirel's side are 13th in the league standings with 19 points, just two points ahead of the relegation zone.

While Hatayspor have been decent at home, their away form leaves a lot to be desired, with the Star of the South recording just one win on the road all season along with four defeats and four draws.

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Caykur Rizespor form (all competitions):

Hatayspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Hatayspor form (all competitions):

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Team News

The hosts will continue to be without Khusniddin Alikulov and Okechukwu Azubuike, who are recovering from foot and ankle injuries respectively.

Nottingham Forest loanee Jonjo Shelvey, should make his 12th successive Super Lig start as one half of a double pivot with Ibrahim Olawoyin in midfield.

Didier Lamkel Ze has missed the last seven matches for Hatayspor with a muscle injury and is only expected to return in January, while Mehdi Boudjemaa is nursing a hamstring injury.

Rigoberto Rivas will miss Saturday's clash as he serves a one-match suspension for an accumulation of cautions, which means Armin Hodzic might come in as a replacement.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Cetin; Sahin, Alikulov, Yasar, Hojer; Olawoyin, Shelvey; Keser, Varisanovic, Zeqiri; Gaich

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:

Kardesler; Alici, Kilama, Maksimovic, Aksoy; Saglam, Hodzic, Aburjania, Dele-Bashiru, Strandberg; Dadashov

We say: Caykur Rizespor 3-1 Hatayspor

After recording their biggest victory of the season in their last home match against Pendikspor to make it three home wins in a row, Rizespor will be feeling confident going into Saturday's fixtures.

Meanwhile, Hatayspor have struggled on the road this season, which makes this a straightforward prediction.

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