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

The home are currently seven points adrift of Kasimpasa, who sit just outside the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last six league games.

Match preview

Istanbulspor returned to competitive action last week with a 3-1 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup, leaving them to focus solely on their battle to remain in the top flight.

They had lost six consecutive league games before the World Cup break, and that run extended to seven matches when they were beaten 2-1 by Galatasaray on Sunday.

Bafetimbi Gomis scored a first half brace to give Galatasaray a two-goal advantage, and although Mehmet Yesil halved the deficit in the 82nd minute it was too little too late for Istanbulspor.

Having failed to win a league game since October 3, Istanbulspor face an uphill task if they are to avoid relegation, with seven points separating them from safety.

After drawing one and losing five of their six home encounters in the Turkish Super Lig this season, they will be targeting their first home league win on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Kasimpasa are currently sat just one point clear of the relegation zone, and they will also be looking to end a run of poor form.

Since returning from the World Cup break, Kasimpasa have lost consecutive games by a 2-1 scoreline after a Turkish Cup defeat to Umraniyespor was followed by another poor result against Sivasspor on Sunday.

Mortadha Ben Ouannes cancelled out Dia Sabi'A's opener, but Kasimpasa could not find a second equaliser when Max Gradel scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 65th minute.

The defeat to Sivasspor extended Kasimpasa's winless league run to six matches, and it was also the seven consecutive game in the Turkish Super Lig where they have failed to score more than one goal.

Although they may be the lowest scorers in the division, the visitors can at least draw inspiration from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last four away league games.

Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Istanbulspor (all competitions) form:

Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

L

D

D

L

Kasimpasa form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

D

L

Team News

Istanbulspor are expected to be without the services of Eslem Ozturk, who is covering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Yesil came off the bench to score late on in the defeat to Galatasaray, and the defender is expected to be brought into the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest.

Tekke is expected to keep faith with Ibrahim Yilmaz, who will be looking to open his account for the season when he leads the line against Kasimpasa.

As for the visitors, Selcuk Inan is expected to name an unchanged back four despite conceding two goals against Sivasspor, with Jeffrey Bruma set to continue his central defensive partnership with Daniel Graovac.

After scoring his first goal of the second at the weekend, Ben Ouanes will keep his place on the left wing, while Mamadou Fall will operate on the opposite flank.

Stephane Bahoken could come into the side to lead the line against Istanbulspor, and the forward will be aiming to add to the three goals he has scored this season.

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

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

Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:

Taskiran; Hadergjonaj, Bruma, Graovac, Petretta; Kara, Tirpan; Fall, Hajradinovic, Ben Ouanes; Bahoken

We say: Istanbulspor 1-2 Kasimpasa

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