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

It is an important clash for both sides on their return to league action, with the two teams currently sat in a devilishly tight bottom half of the table.

Match preview

Hatayspor were the only Super Lig side not in Turkish Cup fifth round action this week given their embarrassing third round loss to third-tier Duzcespor before the World Cup.

Whether that will benefit them or hinder them is yet to be seen, because all other sides have competitive action under their belts but they have had more time to focus solely on this fixture.

They must be ready to go though, as any slip ups from sides in the bottom half could see them slide down the table rapidly.

In a league that has almost been split in two, every side from Alanyaspor in ninth down are in danger of being sucked into a relegation battle.

Hatayspor sit just one point above the dotted line and their attack has been the cause for many of their early-season problems.

Only Kasimpasa scored fewer goals as they have averaged less than a goal per game so far this season, while conceding over two goals per match.

Without Ayoub El Kaabi they would be in much deeper trouble, and manager Volkan Demirel may have been secretly pleased that he was able to keep him over the break as he was not selected in Morocco's World Cup squad.

He has scored five of their 12 goals this season, and notched 18 last season, as he finished joint-second in the scoring charts.

Volkan's side faced some familiar opponents during the break, losing to Karagumruk and beating Gaziantep in friendlies, before going down 5-2, albeit, to a full-strength Lazio.

Giresunspor come into this fixture on the back of possibly the most humiliating result in their history.

Their return to competitive action saw them host third division outfit Karacabey Belediyespor in the cup where, astonishingly, they lost 5-0.

It was far from a full-strength side, but the manner of the defeat has put them under the spotlight for deep scrutiny given such an embarrassing scoreline.

It is a shame for them to return in such fashion, as they finished off the first half of the season with three remarkable wins.

They came from behind to beat both Istanbulspor and Ankaraspor 3-2 in the league and cup, before a famous win at league leaders Fenerbahce.

A late Borja Sainz double earned them a sensational 2-1 win in Istanbul after they had trailed with 20 minutes to play.

That win moved them out of the relegation zone just in time for the World Cup break, and back-to-back league wins were a welcome relief as they were their first successes since gameweek three.

Hatayspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

W

L

D

W

Giresunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

D

L

W

W

Team News

Sam Adekugbe was Hatayspor's sole representative at the World Cup, as he featured in all three group games for Canada, but he has since returned and played in the friendly win over Gaziantep.

All 11 starters from their last league game before the break played some part in recent friendlies so they could remain unchanged.

Ognjen Vranjes missed that game through suspension though so he could be one to come back into the side.

Bertug Yildirim and Kevin Soni are back from respective injuries, but Christian Atsu has not played any warm-up minutes despite being part of the squad in recent weeks.

Giresunspor made eight changes for that horrific cup defeat in midweek from their last league lineup, but given the result it is unlikely any of the players drafted in will keep their place.

Ramon Arias and Alexis Perez were two who kept their place in the side, but having shipped five in their two friendlies too, their places at centre-back could come under threat.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:

Kardesler; Corekci, Vranjes, Oksuz, Adekugbe; Ergun, Aabid, Ruben Ribeiro; El Kaabi, Kanak, Ze Luis

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:

Piri; Campuzano, Arias, Perez, Uludag; Serginho, Mejia, Saglam; Kuwas, Sainz, Bajic

We say: Hatayspor 1-1 Giresunspor

Both sides ended the first half of the season in relatively strong fashion, and there may be very little to choose between the sides here.

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