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

The hosts will head into this match with 36 points after 27 league matches, while the visitors are on 35 points having played the same number of games.

Match preview

Caykur Rizespor's poor form continued as they lost 3-0 to Samsunspor at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium last Friday, extending their winless run to five games.

Ilhan Palut's side now have only one win from their last seven league matches (D1, L5), with their European aspirations already a distant memory.

This poor run of results has seen Rizespor drop to eighth place, ten points adrift of third-placed Trabzonspor and fourth-placed Besiktas.

The Black Sea Sparrowhawks are back at home with the hopes of ending their winless run. The possibility of achieving this is more likely at home where they have picked up the majority of their points, three times more than the number of points they have on the road.

Their recent home record against Saturday's opposition will also fuel their confidence heading into this game, having won this fixture in the last four times they played as the host.

However, they have failed to win in their last two home matches, losing to Fenerbahce after a draw with Konyaspor.

Kayserispor maintained their form with a 3-2 comeback victory over Ankaragucu at the Kadir Has Stadium last Saturday.

Two first-half goals from Christian Bassogog and Efkan Bekiroglu left the Anatolian Stars chasing the game at half time.

However, they turned it around in the second half courtesy of goals by Duckens Nazon, Julian Jeanvier and Carlos Mane.

After escaping February unscathed, the visitors are now in 10th place with 35 points and have now opened up a seven-point gap over the drop zone.

Burak Yilmaz is yet to lose a game as Kayserispor's manager and will look to keep it that way this weekend.

The 38-year-old manager can be confident after seeing his side's away form pick up in February, picking one win and a draw - a complete turn around from the four previous away games they lost before that.

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

D

L

L

L

Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

D

D

W

W

Team News

Rizespor are expected to remain without midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike, who continues to recover from an ACL injury.

Gokhan Akkan and Benhur Keser are also out with back and hamstring injuries respectively, while Dal Varesanovic is nursing a head injury.

Martin Minchev is expected to spearhead the attack once again, while Jonjo Shelvey could head back into the starting lineup following the injuries in the squad.

Kayserispor will be without Arif Kocaman, who is suspended for one match due to an accumulation of cautions.

Defender Majid Hosseini has missed the last 14 matches for the hosts with a muscle injury and is still at least a couple of weeks away from a return, while Anthony Uzodimma will remain sidelined until next month.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Topcu, Hojer; Pala, Olawoyin; David, Shelvey, Zeqiri; Minchev

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Bayazit; Sazdagi, Jeanvier, Attamah, Carole; Bourabia, Civelek; Boa Morte, Sazdagi, Cardoso; Nazon

We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-1 Kayserispor

Rizespor are struggling at the moment while Kayserispor are flying. However, the hosts have enjoyed a good run at home against the visitors in recent years. We think Kayserispor will continue their unbeaten streak but the game will end in a draw.

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