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

The hosts are struggling to escape the relegation mire while the visitors are looking to break into the top four.

Match preview

Fatih Karagumruk's winless streak in the league extended to three matches after a 2-0 defeat to Ankaragucu on Wednesday afternoon.

This result plunged Shota Arveladze's men back into the relegation zone, where they now sit 18th in the table with 21 points, just a single point from safety.

Next up is Caykur Rizespor, a team they have a good record against with two wins, one defeat, and two draws in five top-flight encounters.

The Black Reds have enjoyed more success at home this season, having amassed 16 of their total points on home turf, winning four of their last seven league games at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, after failing to win in their first four home matches.

Meanwhile, Rizespor, who just won promotion back to Turkey's top flight last season, enjoyed an impressive first half of the campaign and are aiming to build on that with the possibility of securing European qualification.

The Black Sea Sparrowhawks took a significant step towards that goal after recording a hard-fought 1-0 victory over third-placed Trabzonspor last time out, courtesy of a 78th-minute strike from Dal Varesanovic.

Ilhan Palut's side have amassed 35 points from 22 matches to sit fifth, one point adrift of fourth-placed Besiktas, putting themselves firmly in the top-four mix after a fine run between mid-November and early January, a seven-game unbeaten streak that saw them bag 15 points with four wins and three draws.

However, they have not managed back-to-back league wins since September, a feat they will be looking to achieve on Sunday against Karagümrük.

Palut will be hoping his side can break their run of seven winless away league matches (eight in all competitions), having only picked up nine points from a possible 30 on the road.

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

L

D

L

Fatih Karagumruk form (all competitions):

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

L

W

L

W

Caykur Rizespor form (all competitions):

Team News

For the hosts, Ryan Mendes is away with the Cape Verde squad at the Africa Cup of Nations and is unavailable for this fixture.

Davide Biraschi is back in the squad after missing the last game due to the red card he received against Basaksehir.

Guven Yalcin should lead the line once again, as he looks to add to his team-high four league goals on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Rizespor will be without Azubuike Okechukwu as he looks to recover from a sprained ankle.

Adolfo Gaich will continue to lead the line, having notched up a joint-team-high tally of nine goals so far this season, while Varesanovic will again operate in the middle of a supporting trio after hitting his ninth of the campaign in the win over Trabzonspor.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Sirigu; Veseli, Dursun, Ceccherini, Mercan; Bertolacci, Paoletti; Teklic, Eysseric, Lasagna;Yalcin

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Topcu, Hojer; Shelvey, Olawoyin; Keser, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Gaich

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 1-1 Caykur Rizespor

Determined to end their winless away run, Rizespor will see this as a great opportunity to get back on track given Karagumruk's form and performances so far this season. However, the hosts have only lost once in their last seven home games and will be up for the fight.

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