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

In a meeting between the two lowest-scoring teams in Turkey's top flight, the potential winners will take huge steps towards survival.

Match preview

Despite their goalscoring woes for much of the season, Istanbulspor have found the net six times in their last two matches.

However, failing to win either will be slightly disappointing, with back-to-back 3-3 draws.

Their home clash with Antalyaspor two weeks ago saw them throw two points away as they led on three separate occasions but were pegged back by a late penalty.

Last week's short trip across Istanbul to face Fenerbahce resulted in jubilant celebrations though, as they picked up a potentially vital point in dramatic circumstances.

Emeka Eze's 96th-minute equaliser won Istanbulspor a point after a Valon Ethemi-inspired fightback saw them come from 2-0 down to draw 3-3.

The Macedonian scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season shortly after the hour mark to bring them back from the dead, before Eze equalised for a second time as title challengers Fener were left stunned.

It extended their unbeaten run to three matches after a win over Istanbul Basaksehir preceded those two high-scoring draws.

Meanwhile, Giresunspor had an afternoon to forget against Basaksehir last weekend, trailing 4-0 at half-time on home soil.

Grabbing two consolation goals in the second half did nothing but make the scoreline appear more respectable, but their first-half capitulation was concerning.

One win in 2023 has seen Giresunspor take just eight points from a possible 42, meaning they start the weekend in one of the two relegation places.

Sitting two points adrift of Istanbulspor who are a place above them means a defeat here could be fatal in their hopes of survival.

With reigning champions Trabzonspor and second-placed Fenerbahce still to come as well, Giresunspor cannot afford to lose here.

Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

W

D

D

Giresunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

L

W

L

L

Team News

Central defender Mehmet Yesil went off early for Istanbulspor at Fener last weekend and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks.

Manager Fatih Tekke will be able to welcome back four players from suspension after their bad-tempered affair with Antalyaspor.

Goalkeeper David Jensen is back, along with Demeaco Duhaney, Mahamadou Ba and Onur Ergun.

Giresunspor have lost three starters following the clash with Basaksehir last weekend.

Robert Mejia, Ramon Arias and Hayrullah Bilazer all picked up injuries and will miss a few weeks of action.

Montenegrin international Vukan Savicevic is one of three other players currently absent for Giresunspor.

Defenders Alexis Perez and Faustin Senghor are also both sidelined for the visitors here.

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Duhaney, Mehremic, Deli, Aksu; Ba, Ergun, Loshaj; Rroca, Eze, Ethemi

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:

Piri; Ulvan, Saglam, Genc, Uludag; Campuzano, Akpinar, Kuwas; Serginho, Bajic, Sainz

We say: Istanbulspor 1-1 Giresunspor

With a two-point buffer over their visitors, Istanbulspor know they can take a huge step towards survival with a win.

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