Preview: Sivasspor vs. Antalyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Sivasspor have been impressive on two fronts, sealing Europa Conference League progression in midweek.

Match preview

After not winning any of their first eight league matches, a shock win away to Istanbul Basaksehir has kickstarted a great run form for Sivasspor.

It was a much needed win too, as it came just days after they were embarrassingly beaten at home by Kosovan side Ballkani in Europe.

Their five games since then have yielded four wins, two domestically and two on the continent.

Those results have pulled them out of the Super Lig relegation zone and secured European football in the New Year for Calimbay's side.

They still need a draw away to Slavia Prague on Thursday to ensure progression as group winners though, so one eye may be on that game as they prepare for this encounter.

They had started to leak goals at will, especially the four at home to Ballkani, but they have now let in just two in their last five games, and a notable reason for the upturn in form.

Their defeat to Trabzonspor last weekend is the only blip on their recent form, but they comfortably saw off Romanian champions Cluj 3-0 on Thursday.

Antalyaspor go into the weekend only below Sivasspor on goal difference, but they have had a much more difficult time of late.

They did pull themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Istanbulspor last week, a result which ended a six game winless streak for Nuri Sahin's side.

They won just one point across those six matches, against arguably their toughest opponent in that time, Konyaspor.

It was a first win over two months for Antalyaspor, who had not tasted victory since a remarkable 5-2 win over Trabzonspor back in August.

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Sivasspor form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

L

W

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

Leke James has been ruled out of this tie for Sivasspor, as the Nigerian continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Robin Yalcin was able to return from a minor muscle injury to make a very late cameo against Cluj in midweek, but the German will probably remain on the bench here.

Calimbay played a full strength side in midweek, so they may remain unchanged for this league fixture.

Goalkeeper Ruud Boffin is a doubt for Antalyaspor, as the Belgian has not featured since a 3-0 defeat to Adana Demirspor before the international break.

Alperen Uysal has stepped in to deputise and not done much wrong, as he made five saves to help them towards victory last week.

Fredy missed the fixture last weekend with a back injury which is expected to keep the Angolan forward out for a few weeks.

Alassane Ndao will be out long term as he recovers from a broken leg suffered against Konyaspor three weeks ago.

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Paluli, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Arslan, Keita, Saba; N'Jie, Yatabare, Yesilyurt

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:

Uysal; Balci, Luyindama, Toprak, Vural; Akyol, Fernando, Luiz Adriano; Nakajima, Wright, Larsson

We say: Sivasspor 2-1 Antalyaspor

Even though Sivasspor have an important game away in the Czech Republic three days after this tie, Calimbay will most likely pick a strong team, brimming with confidence.

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