Preview: Adana Demirspor vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

In what could prove to be a crucial game in the battle for the top four, Istanbul Basaksehir will travel to the Yeni Adana Stadium to face Adana Demirspor on Saturday.

The hosts currently sit in seventh place, but a win on Saturday would see them leapfrog their opponents, who find themselves in fourth position.

Match preview

Although Adana Demirspor sit just two points adrift of the top four, they enter Saturday's contest in a downbeat mood after failing to win any of their last three games.

In fact, they have lost their previous two matches, with their most recent encounter resulting in a 3-2 defeat at home to Sivasspor.

Adana Demirspor displayed great character in that contest to come from two goals down after Pedro Henrique had netted twice to give Sivasspor the lead.

However, Benjamin Stambouli and Mario Balotelli both grabbed a goal apiece, but it was to no avail as Henrique struck from the spot in stoppage time to wrap up his hat-trick and snatch all three points for Sivasspor.

That defeat ended Adana Demirspor's unbeaten home run in all competitions which had stretched to 11 matches, but they do have the chance to bounce back on Saturday against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Meanwhile, the visitors also enter the contest off the back of a three-game winless run, leaving them vulnerable to the chasing pack who are hunting down a European place.

A defeat against Fatih Karagumruk ended a run of four consecutive victories, before Istanbul Basaksehir battled to a 2-2 draw against Besiktas, but they were ultimately unable to take anything from their most recent outing against Antalyaspor.

Haji Wright's 20th-minute goal proved enough to help Antlayspor to all three points, as Istanbul Basaksehir failed to score for the fourth time in a home league game this season.

They will, however, head into Saturday's contest with an air of confidence after losing just once in their last 10 away league matches.

The visitors will also have the chance to claim a league double over Saturday's opponents after winning the reverse fixture by a narrow 2-1 scoreline.

Team News

The hosts are still missing Loic Remy, who is struggling with a hamstring problem, while Tarik Camdal is also expected to miss out.

Vincenzo Montella has the option to bring Younes Belhanda into the starting lineup, with Gokhan Inler also a candidate to begin Saturday's contest.

Balotelli scored his 11th league goal of the season last weekend and the Italy international will lead the home side's goal threat against Istanbul Basaksehir.

The visitors, meanwhile, are expected to be without the services of Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mahmut Tekdemir due to injury issues.

Hasan Ali Kaldirim and Serdar Gurler both limped off in the defeat to Antalyaspor and the pair are doubts ahead of Saturday's encounter.

Emre Belozoglu will be forced into a change at right-back with Junior Caicara suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, which could result in Omer Ali Sahiner dropping back into the Istanbul Basaksehir defence.

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Muric; Svensson, Akaydin, Sanuc, Kanak; Inler, Stambouli; Akgun, Belhanda, Vargas; Balotelli

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Babacan; Sahiner, Duarte, Tagir, Lima; Turuc, Aleksic, Cigerci, Pizzi, Chadli, Okaka

We say: Adana Demirspor 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

Adana Demirspor have drawn three of their last five home games, while Istanbul Basaksehir have seen four of their previous seven away contests finish level, and with the teams separated by just two points in the league table, we think that Saturday's encounter will also end all square.

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