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

At a time when the home side are five points adrift of safety, Gaziantep are two points above the bottom four and have the mid-table spots in their sights.

Match preview

Sitting two places higher than last season's finish of 15th position, there will be those associated with Gaziantep who are satisfied with their efforts during the 2022-23 campaign.

However, just one win in 12 matches leaves GFK as one of the more out-of-form teams in the division and on the brink of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.

That said, a 1-1 draw with Istanbul Basaksehir last time out was a step in the right direction, a result which came shortly after holding Besiktas by the same scoreline on Christmas Day.

Erol Bulut will hope for more from his side, particularly when they face the lower clubs, but they are producing enough quality to separate themselves from the strugglers.

While Gaziantep have failed to keep a clean sheet in six matches, they have also netted in their most recent five outings, their last four goals coming in the second halves of games.

On the back of last season's promotion via the playoffs, it has come as little surprise to see Istanbulspor spending the majority of their campaign in the bottom four.

Although they enjoyed a bright start, the Bulls have now lost eight of their last nine fixtures, the only success during that period coming by a 2-1 scoreline versus Kasimpasa on December 28.

Their heaviest defeat of the campaign was posted in their last game, Adana Demispor running out 6-0 victors after netting five times after the break.

Despite Fatih Tekke's obvious concerns, Istanbulspor have the chance to move to within four points of their 13th-placed opponents ahead of a huge showdown with Umraniyespor, a team locked on the same points, in their following contest.

Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

L

W

L

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

D

D

L

D

Team News

Eduard Rroca misses out for Istanbulspor after collecting a fourth yellow card in the defeat to Adana Demispor.

Having made three substitute outings over the Christmas and New Year period, Aldin Cajic may come in for his first start of the season.

Further alterations are expected with Mehmet Yesil a possible inclusion in the centre of defence and Jetmir Topalli an option on the right flank.

Gaziantep will be without Alexandru Maxim, who also collected a fourth caution of the season in the most recent fixture.

Lazar Markovic, a substitute in that game, is absent for the same reason, and a recall for Furkan Soyalp and the introduction of winger Angelo Sagal may represent the only changes.

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Duhaney, Yesil, Erdogan, Aksu; Topalli, Sarikaya, Kabasakal, Rroca, Ethemi; Yilmaz

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Kitsiou, Ersoy, Djilobodji, Pehlivan; Soyalp, Jevtovic; Eskihellac, Merkel, Sagal; Figueiredo

We say: Istanbulspor 1-2 Gaziantep

Although they recently got a win on the board, it remains to be seen how Istanbulspor will react to the manner of their latest defeat. As well as their next opponents holding a title challenger last time, we can only predict a hard-earned victory for the visitors.

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