Preview: Gaziantep vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts head into this match on a three-game unbeaten streak while the visitors have lost two games in a row.

Match preview

After putting an end to their seven-game winless streak with a win over Istanbulspor, Gaziantep looked like they were on course for consecutive victories but a late goal for Samsunspor saw the game end 1-1 last time out.

Ogun Ozcicek put the Eagles ahead with seven minutes left to play in regular time, but they could not hold on as Lubomir Satka rescued a point for Samsunspor in stoppage time.

Despite avoiding defeats in their last two matches, Gaziantep remain in the drop zone as they sit in 17th-place with 28 points, only behind 16th-placed Fatih Karagumruk due to an inferior goal difference with 12 games left to play.

Next in line is an home game against Istanbul Basaksehir, a side they have not beaten in their last four attempts, losing three and drawing one.

With 14 points from a possible 39 on home turf while they are also enduring an eight-game winless streak at home, the Eagles will have to find inspiration in front of their fans to boost their survival hopes.

Istanbul Basaksehir were building up some solid momentum over the last month, securing three straight victories over Konyaspor and Istanbulspor before booking their place in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals with a penalty-shootout win over Hatayspor last week.

However, the Grey Owls saw their positive run of results brought to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Galatasaray and another 3-2 loss to Kayserispor as they dropped to ninth on the table, and are now just five points ahead of their relegation-threatened hosts.

Cagdas Atan's side are back on the road where they have lost just once in their last five attempts, with two wins and two draws in those games.

However, Basaksehir have failed to win in their last three away games against this opponent, with two defeats and a draw in those matches.

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

L

D

W

D

Gaziantep form (all competitions):

Istanbul Basaksehir Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

W

W

L

L

Istanbul Basaksehir form (all competitions):

Team News

Gaziantep will be without Papy Djilobodji, who misses out through suspension after receiving a red card against Samsunspor.

Bryan Acosta might also miss out on this clash as he is doubtful due to a muscle injury that has kept him out for several weeks.

Denis Dragus is expected to lead the line once again as he looks to add to his eight league goals this season.

The visitors will have to make do without the services of Patryk Szysz and Efe Arda Koyuncu, as both are ruled out due to injury.

Krzysztof Piatek should lead the line once again, with Deniz Turuc and Joao Figueiredo providing support from the wings.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Nita; Ersoy, Kizildag, Sorescu, N'Koulou, M'Bakata; Maxim, Soyalp, Eskihellac; Markovic Dragus

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Babacan; Dubois, Opoku, Ba, Abeid; De Souza; Figueiredo, Kemen, Ozcan, Turuc; Piatek

We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

While Istanbul Basaksehir are better-placed on the table, their recent form has made this a tougher call than it could have been a couple of weeks ago. The hosts also have a good record in recent home matches against the visitors, and we feel there will be nothing to split these two at the final whistle.

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