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

Both teams head into this one off the back of respective defeats last time out and will be looking to bounce back with all three points this weekend.

Match preview

Samsunspor fell to a disappointing 3-1 loss against Alanyaspor when the teams went head to head at Kirbiyik Holding Stadyumu on Christmas Day.

Markus Gisdol's men went into the interval down by two following strikes from Yusuf Ozdemir and Oguz Aydin but managed to pull one back through Marius before Nicolas Janvier sealed the deal in second-half stoppage time.

Consequently, the Red Lightnings have dropped to 12th place in the Turkish Super Lig table and are now just three points clear of the relegation danger.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have been beaten in two of the previous three editions of this fixtures across all competitions.

Unbeaten in six of their last seven matches on home turf, Saturday's hosts will be confident of picking up another positive result in front of their fans.

Fatih Karagumruk were beaten for a third game running following a 3-0 defeat to Gaziantep at the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadyumu on December 23.

Shota Arveladze's men trailed to Denis Dragus's opener just shy of the half-hour mark after which Max Gradel and Nicolas N'Koulou netted in the second period to put the result beyond doubt.

With 17 points amassed from as many league outings so far, the Black and Red sit 17th in the standings, albeit only one point adrift of safety.

Having come out on top in just one of their last eight matches on the road leading up to Saturday's contest, the visitors will be keen to turn their away fortunes around.

Samsunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

W

D

L

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

Samsunspor's Nanu is ruled of this weekend's contest as the defender prepares to sit out a fifth game on the bounce due to a muscle injury.

The hosts will also have to make do with the absence of Gaetan Laura and Zeki Yavru, although the former is closing in on a return to action.

First-choice goalkeeper Matias Dituro remains sidelined for Karagumruk through a muscle problem, while Stefano Sturaro misses out with a knock.

Sofiane Feghouli has been called up by Algeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, meaning that the 34-year-old is unavailable for the away side.

Samsunspor possible starting lineup:

Kocuk; Gonul, Ozturk, Satka, Cift; Tait, Ait Bennasser; Kilinc, Holse, Kara; Marius

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Bilgin; Veseli, Dresevic, Ceccherini, Mercan; Rohden, Shukurov; Keles, Eysseric, Lasagna; Yalcin

We say: Samsunspor 1-0 Fatih Karagumruk

Previews by email