Preview: Samsunspor vs. Gaziantep - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have made a very slow start to the season, but they will overtake their 18th-placed opponents if they emerge victorious.

Match preview

After winning the second tier by a 10-point margin last season, Samsunspor may have been expecting to adapt to life in the Turkish Super Lig relatively comfortably, but they have made a very poor start to the campaign.

The Red Lightning have taken just one point from their opening five games, which means they are bottom of the league table, and they are now on a four-game losing streak.

Huseyin Eroglu's side picked up a decent draw away at Sivasspor on the opening day of the campaign, but they have failed to pick up a single point since then, and they are without a clean sheet all season.

In fairness, Samsunspor have faced some tough opponents, taking on the likes of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, and they put in a spirited second-half performance against the latter club, despite ultimately losing 4-2.

However, the Red Lightning will be very disappointed to have been brushed aside in their last match, falling to a 2-0 defeat away against Antalyaspor, with Sagiv Yehezkel bagging a first-half brace.

Gaziantep have a fantastic recent record against their upcoming opponents, winning four and drawing two of the last six matches between the two sides, and they have kept clean sheets in their last four.

Not only that, but GFK head into the game off the back of their first win of the season, recording a 2-0 victory against Istanbulspor last Friday, which will be a huge relief for manager Marius Sumudica.

Prior to last week's game, Sumudica's side were on a five-game losing streak in the Turkish Super Lig, failing to score in three of those, but he will now be hoping they are able to kick on after getting their first win on the board.

Gaziantep have also had a tricky start to the season, coming up against the likes of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, but they have now managed to stop the rot, heading into a game against a side they have a very good record against.

Samsunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

L

L

L

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

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Team News

Samsunspor will be without Taylan Antalyali, as the midfielder has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, so Osman Celik is set to keep his place in the starting lineup alongside Flavien Tait.

Landry Dimata impressed in his first game for the Red Lightning, scoring on his debut against Galatasaray, and the Belgian is likely to keep his place in attack, being supported by attacking midfielder Olivier Ntcham.

As for Gaziantep, Ilker Karakas remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, so Denis Dragus is poised to lead the line, fresh off the back of scoring his first goal for the club in the last match.

Albian Ajeti also bagged his first goal for GFK in the last match, but given that Sumudica usually only plays one striker, the Swiss forward is likely to start on the bench, although he could be brought on if they are chasing the game.

Samsunspor possible starting lineup:

Szumski; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Bola; Holse, Celik, Tait, Kilinc, Ntcham; Dimata

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Nita; Eskihellac, Kizildag, N'Koulou, Djilobodji, Morais; Gradel, Soyalp, Bikel, Maxim; Dragus

We say: Samsunspor 0-0 Gaziantep

Neither side has been convincing in the early stages of the Turkish Super Lig season, with Gaziantep yet to pick up a point away from home.

However, GFK rarely concede against Samsunspor, keeping clean sheets in the last five matches between the two sides, so we think Friday's game might end as a stalemate.

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