Preview: Giresunspor vs. Altay - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides separated by just one point in the bottom half of the Super Lig table square off on Friday as Giresunspor play host to Altay at the Cotanak Spor Kompleksi Stadium.

The hosts will be seeking to get one over the visitors, having failed to taste victory in any of the most recent six meetings between the sides.

Match preview

Giresunspor were handed their seventh league defeat of the season last Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by a dogged Adana Demirspor side away from home.

In a cagey affair at the 5 Ocak Fatih Terim Stadium, former Schalke man Benjamin Stambouli came up trumps for the hosts as he scored the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute.

Prior to that, Giresunspor were on a four-game winning streak across all competitions, including a 4-2 win over Ankara Demirspor in the fourth round of the Turkish Cup on December 2.

After a slow start to the season, where they lost five of their opening six games, their recent run of positive results has seen them rise to 14th place in the Super Lig table, three points adrift of Sivasspor in the top half of the table.

This upturn in form has been owing to their impressive display at both ends of the pitch as they have netted 12 goals and kept three clean sheets in their most recent six games in all competitions.

While Hakan Keles's men will be aiming to immediately return to winning ways and continue their rise up the standings, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last six attempts, losing four and picking up two draws in that time.

Meanwhile, Altay continue to struggle for form in the Super Lig as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hatayspor last time out at the Alsancak Stadium.

After taking the lead through César Pinares's 21st-minute strike, Mame Biram Diouf scored his seventh goal of the season 17 minutes later to end the first half level before Dylan Saint-Louis completed the comeback with a 75th-minute strike.

Mustafa Denizli's men have now picked up a win in any of their most recent nine league outings, claiming three draws and losing six since a 2-1 win over Besiktas back in September.

This string of poor results sees Altay sit in 16th place on the log, one place above the relegation zone, after amassing 18 points from 16 outings.

While they have been impressive in attack, where they have scored 21 goals, their struggles has been owing to their defensive frailties as they have shipped 25 goals and managed just two clean sheets to date.

Team News

Keles will be unable to call upon the services of 25-year-old midfielder Erol Akdag, who is set to miss his third straight game after picking up an injury against Ankara Demirspor on December 2.

He is joined on the Giresunspor injury table by Brazilian defender Douglas, who came off with a foot problem in November's game against Sivasspor.

Meanwhile, Altay will be without Eric Bjorkander after the Swedish defender picked up a groin injury versus Antalyaspor back in November.

Turkish youngster Kazimcan Karatas is also a doubt for the visitors after the 18-year-old missed the game against Hatayspor through a muscle problem.

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Diarra, Perez, Behich; Flavio, Traore, Diabate; Suleymanov, Serginho, Balde

Altay possible starting lineup:
Lis; Karayel, Akca, Ozturk, Naderi; Aka, Poko, Pinares; Kappel, Rodriguez, Bamba

We say: Giresunspor 2-1 Altay

We expect a cagey and close contest between the two sides given they are separated by just one point in the league table. Despite the defeat last time out, Giresunspor head into the game in rejuvenated form and we predict they will return to winning ways in this one.

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