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

Both teams ended their winless streak last weekend and will look to build on it in their quest for survival.

Match preview

Gaziantep put an end to their seven-game winless streak in the Super Lig with a 3-1 victory over Istanbulspor at the Bahcelievler Il Ozel Idare Stadium last time out.

The Eagles fell behind after Florian Loshaj found the net for the hosts in the sixth minute. However, Denis Dragus's brace turned the game around, the second of which was from the spot.

Things got easier for Marius Sumudica's men when Istanbulspor's scorer Loshaj was sent off for a second bookable offence, as they added a third in stoppage time courtesy of Deian Sorescu.

Despite the victory, Gaziantep remain in the relegation zone in 17th place with 27 points, only behind 16th-placed Fatih Karagumruk due to an inferior goal difference with 13 games left to play.

Next in line is an home game against Samsunspor, a side they have not lost to in their last eight meetings, recording five wins and three draws.

However, their home record this season is the second-worst in the league, picking up just 13 points from a possible 36 on home turf while they are also enduring a seven-game home winless streak.

Samsunspor also returned to winning ways, picking up a 2-0 victory over Antalyaspor courtesy of goals from Marius Mouandilmadji and Arbnor Muja.

This result saw the Red Lightnings climb to 13th place on the table with 29 points, two points above the relegation zone.

Markus Gisdol's side were on a four-match unbeaten run in the league prior to the Galatasaray defeat that preceded last Monday's victory over Antalya - a run they will be looking to replicate once again in their bid for survival.

However, their record on the road leaves a lot of doubt in their ability to go on the run, as they currently have the third-worst away record in the league, having lost eight of 12 matches on opposition territory.

This will be just their second Super Lig meeting with Gaziantep, as both sides met in the top-flight for the first time earlier this season, a game they lost 2-1.

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

D

L

D

W

Gaziantep form (all competitions):

Samsunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

D

W

D

L

W

Samsunspor form (all competitions):

Team News

Omurcan Artan and Bryan Acosta remain sidelined for the hosts, with both players still nursing muscle injuries.

In attack, Lazar Markovic and Dragus are likely to feature once again with the latter looking to add to his eight league goals this season.

Samsunspor have one absentee for this clash, with Olivier Ntcham serving a one-match suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

This leaves room for another midfielder to play from the start and Muja looks like the prime candidate after coming from the bench to score last time out.

Mouandilmadji should continue to lead the attack as he looks to add to his seven goal tally in the league.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

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

Samsunspor possible starting lineup:

Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Ozturk, Bola; Tait, Antalyali; Kilinc, Muja, Raman; Mouandilmadji

We say: Gaziantep 1-1 Samsunspor

This is a tie between a poor home side and a poor away side. Both teams are also coming into this game filled with confidence from victories in their previous matches. We think they will not be separated in the end but we expect both teams to find the net.

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