Two sides at the bottom end of the Turkish Super Lig face off on Friday, as Pendikspor host Istanbulspor at Pendik Stadium in an Istanbul derby.
Both teams are coming into this game with respective winless streaks - the hosts have not won in their last seven matches, while the visitors are on an eight-game run without a victory.
Match preview
Pendikspor's losing streak stretched to five games as they fell 4-1 to Fenerbahce at the Ulker Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium last Sunday.
Ivo Vieira's men took the lead on the half-hour mark through Halil Akbunar and went into half time ahead. However, they crumbled in the second half, conceding the equaliser in the 59th minute when Mert Hakan Yandas found the net for Fener.
The Istanbul-based club were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when Souza Silva Welinton was sent off and things got even worse when Arnaud Lusamba also received a red card in the 91st minute. Between the 87th minute and the ninth minute of stoppage time, Pendikspor conceded three goals to compound their woes.
After going on a five-game unbeaten run from mid-January to early February, Pendikspor looked like a side that would escape relegation but are now struggling to rediscover that form as the season nears its conclusion.
They remain in 19th place with 26 points, four points adrift of safety as they head into the final nine games of the season.
However, Pendikspor face the only side below them in the table and will be confident of securing their first win since February 4. The first-ever top-flight meeting between both sides took place earlier this season, ending 4-2 in favour of Friday's hosts who will now look to complete a double over the visitors.
Istanbulspor are 13 points behind the nearest team and are currently rooted to the bottom of the Super Lig with a mere 13 points as the end of the season approaches.
After gaining promotion in 2021-22, the Bulls finished in 12th place last season but their two-year stay in the Super Lig is edging closer to an end this term.
However, Osman Zeki Korkmaz's side are still looking to pick up positive results, but they were unable to hold onto their first-half lead against Kasimpasa, losing 2-1 last Sunday.
Florian Loshaj found the net for the second game in a row to give Istanbulspor the lead in the 25th minute but they conceded two goals in the second half to record their 19th league defeat of the season.
Korkmaz will hope his side can pick up their second away win of the season when they visit Pendikspor, having recorded a victory on their last trip there back in 2017 when both sides were in the second division.
Team News
Pendikspor have two players out for this clash with Lusamba and Welinton serving one-game suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards.
Alpaslan Ozturk, who was suspended for the last game, is expected to replace Welinton in defence while Endri Cekici should come into midfield.
A front three of Mehmet Umut Nayir, Akbunar and Mame Baba Thiam is expected on Sunday.
Istanbulspor, meanwhile, have a full squad available for Friday, leaving Korkmaz with a wealth of options to choose from.
Emrehan Gedikli is expected to lead the line once again on Sunday, as he looks to add to his four league goals.
Mendy Mamadou and Jackson are the two players that should support the striker from the wings.
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Asan, Ozturk, Akca, Sequeira; Ndiaye, Kaya, Cekici; Akbunar, Thiam, Nayir
Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:
Arda; Erdogan, Yesil, Deli; Sambissa, Santos, Yasar, Loshaj; Mamadou, Gultekin, Jackson
We say: Pendikspor 3-1 Istanbulspor
Both teams have struggled this season but Pendikspor have been better than Istanbulspor. We think the home side will complete the double over the visitors who are lacking any form of inspiration.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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