Preview: Kayserispor vs. Konyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Konyaspor will travel to Kayserispor on Sunday as they look to further improve their position in the top two of the Turkish Super Lig table.

The visitors made a return to winning ways against Galatasaray last weekend, while their opponents have dropped to 10th spot after back-to-back defeats.

Match preview

Kayserispor enjoyed a strong start to the Turkish Super Lig season after only narrowly avoiding the drop, as they were established around the top half at the halfway stage.

After enjoying a particularly strong run between late December and mid-February, culminating in wins over Hatayspor and Giresunspor either side of a draw with Galatasaray, Anadolu Yildizi have seen their standing slip slightly in recent weeks having now lost back-to-back league games.

Hikmet Karaman's side first fell to a narrow 3-2 loss at the hands of runaway leaders Trabzonspor, following a commendable effort, before being beaten 2-1 at home to Alanyaspor last time out, as Andrea Bertolacci's opener was cancelled out and the visitor went on to net an 83rd-minute winner.

Those defeats were, however, separated by an impressive 2-1 away win over Besiktas in the Turkish Cup quarter-final thanks to goals from Mario Gavranovic and Miguel Cardoso, and they will now look to bounce back in league action with a victory at the weekend.

Their schedule does not get any easier, though, as second-placed Konyaspor arrive looking for a second consecutive league win.

In a unique Turkish campaign, in which giants Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have all been off the pace, Sunday's visitors have capitalised and held onto second spot for the majority of the term.

That position was put at risk recently, as they went four games without a victory, firstly losing to Trabzonspor and drawing with Kasimpasa before being narrowly beaten by third-placed Istanbul Basaksehir and thrashed 5-1 by Alanyaspor.

Ilhan Palut's side were then able to stop their rot against an underperforming Galatasaray outfit at the weekend, as Ahmed Hassan and Amar Rahmanovic netted early goals in a dominant 2-0 home win.

That saw Anadolu Kartali move five points clear of Istanbul Basaksehir, and, while Trabzonspor have run away with the division, Konyaspor will still be keen to hold on for what will be a historic second-placed finish, with a victory on Sunday giving those hopes a huge boost.

Team News

Kayserispor will remain without midfielder Bernard Mensah due to an injury, while Mame Thiam is unlikely to return to full fitness in time to feature at the weekend.

They will also be missing Gustavo Campanharo, who is suspended for Sunday's clash.

Mario Gavranovic will continue to lead the line, having netted nine goals in 19 Super Lig appearances since his summer move from Dinamo Zagreb.

The visitors also have a suspension to deal with, as Eray Birnican is ruled out, although they are set to come in with a clean bill of health.

Goals have largely been spread out across the squad, but forward Ahmed Hassan leads the way with nine alongside four assists across all competitions.

He should again spearhead their attack with the support of Amar Rahmanovic, after both got on the scoresheet in the victory over Galatasaray last time out.

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Gonen; Buluk, Demirok, Cetin, Caroe; Parmak, Akdag; Cardoso, Bertolacci, Mane; Gavranovic

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Skubic, Demirbag, Bardakci, Guilherme; Dikmen, Hadziahmetovic; Amilton, Rahmanovic, Bytyqi; Hassan

We say: Kayserispor 0-2 Konyaspor

Konyaspor have been the stronger of the two sides this season, and with their confidence lifted again after an impressive win last time out, we back the second-placed visitors to make it two on the bounce on Sunday.

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