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

The visitors could climb into the top half of the table if they were to pick up three points on this final weekend of action ahead of the FIFA World Cup break.

Match preview

Karagumruk are winless in their last two league games, but did progress to the fifth round of the Turkish Cup with a 3-1 win against third-tier Kirsehir Belediyespor courtesy of goals from Mbaye Diagne, Salih Dursun and Fabio Borini.

Andrea Pirlo's side are struggling somewhat, currently sitting in 13th with just three wins from their 12 games this season.

The last time they won at home was on October 15, when they beat Hatayspor, but they lost at their own ground two weeks later against Galatasaray.

Goals have not been the issue - their 21 is only bettered by leaders Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Adana Demirspor - but only second-bottom Istanbulspor have conceded more than their 24.

A high-scoring victory on Sunday would see them overtake their opponents in the table and they could climb to 11th if results go their way.

The amount of goals the hosts have scored so far will come as a concern to Gaziantep fans, who are questioning their team's defensive stability and manager Erol Bulut's selection choices.

They have also lost their last two games but, like the hosts, they also beat lower-league opposition to progress to the next round of the cup, overcoming Kutahyaspor of the fourth tier.

Their last league win came on October 15, which was the second of their two away wins this season - the other came back in August.

Joao Figueiredo has chipped in with four of his team's 16 league goals this season - only Fatih have scored more from the teams in the bottom half of the table.

They have only kept two clean sheets all season; even their hosts this weekend have managed to keep three despite conceding eight more goals.

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

W

L

L

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

Adnan Ugur is back in contention for Pirlo after his suspension, and could replace Otabek Shukurov in midfield after he accumulated too many yellow cards with his booking against Antalyaspor.

Borini missed that game through a suspension of his own so he should slot back into the forward line, but Colin Kazim-Richards is not expected to be involved after being missing from training this week.

The visitors will be without Furkan Soyalp after he also picked up too many yellow cards.

Abdulkadir Parmak could replace him in midfield and Marko Jevtovic should move back into midfield after his defensive exploits last weekend.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Viviano; Dursun, Dresevic, Biraschi, Erkin; Kouassi, Ozdoev, Ricci, Ugur, Borini; Diagne

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Ersoy, Tosca, Djilobodji; Kitsiou, Parmak, Jevtovic, Hanousek; Sagal, Figueiredo, Maxim

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 2-1 Gaziantep

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