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

The two sides have made unspectacular starts to the season, with one win apiece so far, both occupying the bottom half of the Super Lig table.

Match preview

In his first managerial role since his infamous spell at Juventus, Andrea Pirlo's time at Karagumruk got off to a dreadful start, losing his first two games in charge, shipping four goals on both occasions.

Despite those defeats to Alanyaspor and Besiktas though, Fabio Borini inspired them to a resounding 4-1 victory over Ankaragucu in their next match, and they have remained unbeaten since.

However, that remains their only victory of the season up to now, as their last three matches have all ended in stalemates, including back-to-back goalless draws away from home against Sivasspor and Istanbul Basaksehir.

If they are to find their scoring touch again, they will most probably look to left-back Caner Erkin to be the provider, as the veteran former Turkish international, now in playing in his 16th Super Lig season, currently sits joint-top of the assist rankings in the division.

Mbaye Diagne rediscovering his clinical instincts back in Turkey would be much welcome too, as the Senegalese striker netted 51 goals in just 64 league appearances for Galatasaray and Kasimpasa before a move to West Bromwich Albion in 2021.

Istanbulspor made a similarly poor start in their first season back at this level since 2005, losing three on the spin to start the season, including a very damaging 4-0 defeat at home to Konyaspor.

However, Valon Ethemi's stunning free kick against Alanyaspor was enough for a 1-0 victory, but they needed some last-minute heroics from goalkeeper David Jensen in saving a penalty from Daniel Candeias to hold on for the three points.

They followed up that success with two respectable draws away to Sivasspor and at home to Besiktas, coming from behind twice to take a point from the 16-time Turkish champions.

Survival would be a brilliant achievement for Osman Zeki Korkmaz's team though, considering just seven years ago they were playing in the fourth division of Turkish football, the bottom division within the professional pyramid.

The Super Lig will be turning into an 18-team division next season though, making survival even tougher as there will be four relegation spots, so Korkmaz may have his work cut out.

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

D

D

D

Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

W

D

D

Istanbulspor form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

D

L

Team News

Pirlo has virtually an entirely fit squad to choose from here, with only Efe Tatli missing on that front with a cruciate ligament injury.

Uzbek international Otabek Shukurov will serve his one-match suspension here after his red card in stoppage time against Basaksehir last time out.

Matteo Ricci, on loan from Frosinone, could therefore make his first start since the opening day in Shukurov's place, to partner Magomed Ozdoev and Jimmy Durmaz in the centre.

Salih Dursun was forced off inside half an hour of that clash with Basaksehir, meaning another Italian, Davide Biraschi, could come in at right-back, having not long returned from an injury setback himself.

There are concerns at Istanbulspor over the fitness of key man Ethemi as the Macedonian missed their draw with Besiktas and did not feature in a friendly organised with Galatasaray over the international break.

Jetmir Topalli also missed that friendly, but Eduard Rroca played 45 minutes on his return from injury and looks set to make his first appearance of the season in the place of the Kosovan attacker.

Central defender Mehmet Yesil was substituted before half time against Besiktas and will miss roughly a month's action with a hip injury.

New signing Adi Mehremic is the likeliest candidate to replace Yesil as he was brought off the bench in his place, and also after scoring in the friendly with Galatasaray.

This would be a first competitive start for the 30-year-old defender following his move from Polish club Wisla Krakow in the summer transfer window.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Viviano; Biraschi, Baniya, Dresevic, Erkin; Durmaz, Ozdoev, Ricci; Kouassi, Diagne, Borini

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Erdogan, Mehremic, Aksu; Berber, Kabasakal, Sarikaya, Yasar; Rroca, Gultekin, Yilmaz

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 1-1 Istanbulspor

There has been very little to choose between the sides so far this season, and both have become tougher to beat following difficult starts.

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