Preview: Kasimpasa vs. Fatih Karagumruk - prediction, team news, lineups

There is always action when Karagumruk are involved, as Andrea Pirlo's side have the second-best attack and joint-worst defence in the the division.

Match preview

After being deep in trouble before the World Cup break, Karagumruk have done well to pull themselves away from danger on their return to action.

It has been their goalscoring exploits which have been key, as their last three matches have seen them pick up seven points while scoring 11 goals.

A thrilling 3-3 draw with Konyaspor last time out ended a mini run of victories though, and they would have been devastated at throwing the points away, given they were 2-0 up at half-time and 3-2 up with five minutes of injury played.

The most notable result was definitely their crushing 4-1 defeat of Trabzonspor just before the new year, as the reigning Champions were unable to contain Karagumruk's ruthless streak in attack.

Despite the good form though, more is still to be done, as the visitors sit just three points above the drop zone even though they are six places above Hatayspor in the final relegation spot.

For hosts Kasimpasa, they will certainly have more than one eye over their shoulder after a worrying set of results have seen them fall down the standings.

Three defeats in four games since the break means they now sit just one point ahead of Hatayspor with some less than ideal fixtures to come.

Nearby rivals Istanbul Basaksehir and Fenerbahce are next on the agenda after this tie, so you feel they must take something from the game otherwise they could be in deep trouble come the end of January.

They have shown what they are capable of in recent weeks, as a 4-1 win over top-half Alanyaspor brought a vital three points, but losses at Istanbulspor and at home to Sivasspor were a real disappointment for Selcuk Inan's side.

Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

L

L

W

L

Kasimpasa form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

W

L

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

L

W

W

D

Team News

Tarkan Serbest faces a late fitness test to see whether he will be ready to start for Kasimpasa in this one.

The makeshift defender went off after just 15 minutes in their win over Alanyaspor and missed the short trip to Besiktas.

Daniel Graovac was the man who replaced him and the Bosnian should keep his place if Serbest does not make it.

The visitors Karagumruk are set to be without 19-year-olds Efecan Mizrakci and Emir Tintis who have been missing with respective injuries since the season's intermission.

Davide Biraschi, Fabio Borini and Otabek Shukurov are all one booking away from a suspension while Efe Tatli remains on the long-term absentee list for Karagumruk.

Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:

Taskiran; Hadergjonaj, Graovac, Donk, Ozcan, Ben Ouanes; Tirpan, Kara, Eysseric, Hajradinovic; Fall

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Ahmet Sen; Biraschi, Baniya, Dresevic, Mercan; Shukurov, Ricci, Ozdoev; Colley, Diagne, Borini

We say: Kasimpasa 2-2 Fatih Karagumruk

Kasimpasa put up a good fight against Besiktas in their last outing and won convincingly in their last game on home soil, so they will not make it easy.

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