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

The visitors, meanwhile, will be in high spirits after reaching the Turkish Cup final in midweek, but they will now turn their attention to Monday's Turkish Super Lig contest.

Match preview

Caykur Rizespor's four-season stay in the top flight may be drawing to a close, but they have demonstrated in recent weeks that they are set to drop out of the division in style.

They enter the penultimate matchday in impressive form after losing just one of their previous five games, while they have the chance to claim a third successive victory on Monday.

After thrashing Goztepe 7-1, Caykur Rizespor were amongst the goals once again, when they faced Yeni Malatyaspor last weekend.

Bulent Korkmaz's charges brushed aside the bottom-placed team, with goals from Aminu Umar, Yusuf Sari and Joel Pohjanpalo helping secure a 3-1 victory.

As well as aiming to clinch a third consecutive win, Monday's hosts will be hoping to give their fans something to cheer about in their final Turkish Super Lig home match of 2022.

The visitors, meanwhile, will fall short of last season's fifth place finish, but a superb cup run has kept their hopes of European football alive.

Riza Calimbay's side took a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their semi-final contest with Antalyaspor in midweek, but the 78th-minute strike from Famara Diedhiou wiped out Sivasspor's advantage.

However, with the tie drifting towards extra time, Hakan Arslan became Sivasspor's hero when he found the winner in the 88th minute to book his side's place in the Turkish Cup final.

Despite occupying 12th position in the Turkish Super Lig, Sivasspor will qualify for the Europa League if they can beat Kayserispor in the final at the end of May.

Before that can prepare for that important contest, Monday's hosts will be looking to move up the league table with a top half finish still possible.

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Sivasspor form (all competitions):

Team News

Alper Potuk and Fernando Boldrin are rated doubtful for the hosts due to muscle injuries.

After coming off the bench to score against Yeni Malatyaspor, Pohjanpalo may be given a starting place, which could result in Papiss Cisse dropping out of the side.

Sari will be one of Caykur Rizespor's main goal threats, with the 23-year-old aiming to find the net for a third consecutive game.

As for the visitors, they could give a number of fringe players game time as Calimbay looks to protect key individuals ahead of the cup final on May 26.

The likes of Kerem Kesgin, Isaac Cofie and Sefa Yilmaz could all come into the starting lineup on Monday.

Mustafa Yatabare was suspended for the midweek cup game, but the forward will return to the side to lead the line against Caykur Rizespor.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Gonul, Ponck, Topcu, Albayrak; Sari, Sabo, Phiri, Hummet, Umar; Pohjanpalo

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Oguz, Appindangoye, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Kayode, Yigiter, Kesgin, Cofie, Yilmaz; Yatabare

We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-1 Sivasspor

Although they are heading to the second tier, Caykur Rizespor will be motivated to claim all three points with Monday's fixture representing their final home game of the season, and we think they will squeeze past a Sivasspor side that may rest key players.

For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.

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