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

Both sides desperately need points for survival in what will be seen as a relegation six-pointer in the battle to escape the drop.

Match preview

Buried at the foot of the Super Lig table, Istanbulspor's season can only be described as a nightmare - a three-point deduction penalty, 14 points adrift of safety, a leaky defense with the second-most goals conceded in the division and an anemic attack with the least number of goals scored, raises serious doubts about their ability to escape the relegation trapdoor.

However, Hakan Yakin's side saw a glimmer of hope emerge in their last match, as they completed a comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Adana Demirspor.

Trailing by two goals into the final 12 minutes of the game, the People's Team appeared to be on course for a fifth consecutive Super Lig defeat, but two quick-fire goals from Modestas Vorobjovas and Demeaco Duhaney sealed a first point for the bottom-club since November 25.

Back at home this weekend, Yakin's men will see this as an opportunity to close the gap on another relegation candidate in this battle for survival, and they will be encouraged by the fact that both of their two league victories this season have come on home turf.

However, the Istanbul-based club have never won a home game against the visitors in the top division, while also recording just two wins in seven Super Lig meetings against them.

Meanwhile, Konyaspor received a confidence-shattering 7-1 drubbing from league leaders Fenerbahce last time out.

The Anatolian Eagles started the season on a good note, going unbeaten in their first four league games, however, they hit a rough patch between mid-September and mid-November when they went eight matches without a win, including six losses and two draws.

The string of disappointing results coincided with Konya's descent into the relegation zone and ultimately led to the club's decision to make a change in its managerial role, with Aleksandar Stanojevic departing in late October.

Hakan Keles took charge as the new manager at the end of October, and after failing to secure a victory in his first three matches, the former Giresunspor boss won his first game at the end of November against Kasimpasa, and ended the year positively with another three points, beating Kayserispor on Christmas Eve.

Five points from a possible 12 in December saw Konya move out of the bottom four, but the defeats to Galatasaray and Fener in their first two matches this year has seen them back in the mix, level on 18 points with 17th-placed Samsunpor, but behind in 18th place with an inferior goal difference.

Sunday's game against Istanbulspor will be the third consecutive away match for Keles's side, and their away record of late does little to inspire confidence, having failed to win any of their last eight matches on the road, drawing three and losing five.

Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

L

L

D

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

D

W

L

L

Konyaspor form (all competitions):

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Team News

Eduart Rroca is Istanbulspor's only reported absentee, sidelined by a hamstring injury until January.

Yakin lined up a 3-4-2-1 in the draw with Adana, but could revert to 4-3-3 for this clash, with Jackson, Valon Ethemi and Alassane Ndao keeping their spots in the front three.

After his goal to kickstart the comeback last time out, Vorobjovas is expected to start once again in the middle of the pack, alongside Florian Loshaj and Simon Deli.

For the visitors, it remains to be seen if Paul Bernardoni will ever play for Konyaspor again after the shot-stopper sent a registered letter to FIFA regarding non-payment of his salary.

Bernardoni was removed from the squad as a sanction, while Sokol Cikalleshi is believed to have been dropped from the first team for the same reason.

Muhammet Demir (ACL) is set to miss this match due to injury; Gokhan Tore is a doubt due to an ankle injury while Bruno Paz is away on international duty with Angola.

Francisco Calvo is expected back in defense after serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Arda; Erdogan, Yesil, Duhaney, Coly; Loshaj, Vorobjovas, Deli; Ndao, Ethemi, Jackson

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Ertas; Demirtas, Demirbag, Calvo, Haubert; Dikmen, Yazgili, Cicaldau; Prip, Gedikli, Moreno

We say: Istanbulspor 1-1 Konyaspor

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