Preview: Goztepe SK vs. Alanyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

With games running out, Goztepe SK need an upturn in results if they are to stand any chance of beating the drop, and they will have the chance to ignite a great escape when they play host to Alanyaspor on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are battling it out for a top-four spot, but they will be looking for a response after losing 5-2 to Fenerbahce last weekend.

Match preview

Goztepe will need to make up an eight-point gap to safety in their nine remaining league games if they are to remain in the Super Lig.

Saturday's hosts ended January in 14th position with a point separating them from the drop zone, but a run of six consecutive league defeats has seen them plummet into the bottom four.

The latest loss came last weekend, when Goztepe travelled to the Medical Park Stadium to face Super Lig champions-elect Trabzonspor.

Goztepe started brightly, taking the lead through Halil Akbunar before Anthony Nwakaeme and Abdulkadir Omur both netted for the league leaders, but the visitors showed their fighting qualities as Soner Aydogdu struck before half time to level the encounter.

However, a Djaniny strike and Omur's second goal of the encounter condemned Goztepe to another disappointing result, with hopes that they continue their five-season stay in the top flight fading with each defeat.

Alanyaspor, meanwhile, have loftier aspirations as they hunt down European qualification, and they head into Saturday's contest just one point adrift of the top four.

Their push for the top four did take a hit in their last outing though, as they fell to a demoralising 5-2 defeat against Fenerbahce.

Although, Alanayspor were level going into the final 20 minutes after a Tayfur Bingol brace had cancelled out Fenerbahce's two-goal advantage that had been given to them by Diego Rossi and Mesut Ozil.

However, Francesco Farioli's side capitulated late on, with Arda Guler, Dimitris Pelkas and Mergim Berisha all netting to condemn Alanyaspor to defeat.

Despite conceding five at home, Saturday's visitors will head on their travels in a confident mood after avoiding defeat in their last four away contests.

Team News

Dzenan Burekovic and Marko Mihojevic are both ruled out for Goztepe due to ongoing injury issues.

Meanwhile, an accumulation of yellow cards means that Berkan Emir and Aytac Kara are both banned for Saturday's encounter.

Those suspensions should open up starting opportunities for Kahraman Demirtas and Yalcin Kayan.

As for the visitors, injury issues are expected to rule out Cristian Borja, Fatih Aksoy and Wilson Eduardo.

Alanyaspor have utilised a back three in their last two matches, but they could revert to a back four on Saturday.

Famara Diedhiou and Daniel Candeias could also come into the starting lineup for the trip to the Gursel Aksel Stadium.

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Ergibayat; Alici, Arslanagic, Angel, Demirtas; Kayan, Nwobodo, Aydogdu; Ndiaye, Akbunar, Di Santo

Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Marafona; Juanfran, Milunovic, Bayir, Bingol; Karaca, Novais, Akbaba, Gunes, Candeias; Diedhiou

We say: Goztepe SK 1-3 Alanyaspor

The reverse fixture between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw, but with Goztepe seemingly bereft of confidence, we think that Alanyaspor will take advantage to extend their unbeaten away run to five matches.

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