Preview: Gaziantep vs. Hatayspor - prediction, team news, lineups

With both teams hovering above the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone there will be a desire from each team to kickstart some much-needed momentum.

Match preview

Gaziantep might be 11th in the table right now and seemingly in a comfortable midtable spot, but they are just three points above the relegation zone at the moment.

This places some genuine pressure on each match as they will not want to risk dropping down the table with a defeat against Hatayspor.

After losing four Turkish Super Lig matches in a row Gaziantep got back to winning ways at the weekend when they played Ankaragucu.

The victory helped to push them further up the table with goals from Papy Djilobodji and Joao Figueiredo securing the three points as they kept an impressive clean sheet.

Erdal Gunes will now be looking for his team to continue with that momentum this time out as another victory could see them progress into the top half of the table.

Much like their opponents, the visitors are also in desperate for points due to the fact that they are a single point above the relegation zone, adding further pressure to this midweek fixture.

Considering the fact that they have lost seven of their 10 away games in the Turkish Lig so far this season, there might be an element of nerves heading into this one, but turning that form around will be crucial to their survival.

A big issue for Hatayspor on the road has been finding the back of the net as the team have managed to score just six times, and given that they have conceded 21 in those matches there is plenty to be worked on.

Their most recent away game resulted in a 4-0 loss that Murat Sonmez will be hopeful of seeing an improvement upon this time out, and this previous encounter at the weekend did showcase an immediate reaction.

Hatayspor came from behind after conceding in the ninth minute to defeat Trabzonspor 2-1 after goals from Bertut Yildirim and Ayoub El Kaabi, and even though that was a home fixture, it will have injected a level of confidence into the squad.

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

D

L

L

W

Hatayspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

D

D

L

W

Team News

Figueiredo has been doing a strong job of leading the line as a lone striker this season, and fresh from getting on the scoresheet at the weekend he should retain his place at the top of the pitch.

Abdulkadir Parmak missed out on the recent 2-1 victory due to injury, which is expected to be the case again, but Ertugrul Ersoy was able to feature despite a slight doubt which was a positive situation for the team.

El Kaabi came off the bench for the visitors in their previous match and immediately made an impact by scoring a goal which is something that he will be hoping to earn a place in the starting lineup.

Both Kaan Kanak and midfielder Onur Ergun made their returns to the team on Saturday, and after an impressive victory there may not be a need for change.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Kitsiou, Ersoy, Djilobodji, Pehlivan; Merkel, Jevtovic; Markovic, Maxim, Eskihellac; Figueiredo

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:

Kardesler; Corekci, Vranjes, Yilmaz, Kanak; Boudjemaa, Ergun, Ribeiro, Lobjanidze, El Kaabi; Yildirim

We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Hatayspor

Both teams come into this match needing points, but they will also be desperate not to lose either.

Considering how close they are to the relegation zone and the fact that they are struggling for consistent form it would not be a surprise to see them share the points here.

Previews by email