Preview: Yeni Malatyaspor vs. Kayserispor - prediction, team news, lineups

Yeni Malatyaspor head into the weekend in 19th place, and they will aim to end a seven-game winless league run when they play host to Kayserispor on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the visitors are only four points clear of the relegation zone, and enter the fixture with just one win in their last six Turkish Super Lig games.

Match preview

Two points from their last seven league games has seen Yeni Malatyaspor drop down to 19th place, where they now sit four points adrift of safety.

They looked set to grab a point away to Rizespor at the weekend, but Deniz Hummet struck in the 80th minute to condemn the visitors to a 1-0 defeat.

Although they return to home comforts on Thursday, recent home fixtures have been anything but comfortable, with Yeni Malatyaspor collecting just one win in their last seven home league matches.

Their last home game was a particular chastening experience as Alanyaspor dished out a 6-2 thrashing, despite the hosts taking the lead on two occasions.

If Marius Sumudica's side are to avoid the drop then they need to improve in the final third having only scored 14 league goals this term - the lowest tally in the Turkish Super Lig.

Like their opponents, Kayserispor have struggled of late after winning one league game in their last six encounters, but they have managed to collect three draws in that period to ensure that they remain outside the drop zone.

The weekend's fixture with Gaziantep resulted in a goalless draw, which extended their current unbeaten home run to four league games.

Their home form has been impressive this season, but Kayserispor have failed to match those results on their travels, picking up just five of their 25 points away from home.

Thursday's visitors have won just once on the road in the Turkish Super Lig this season, and their last seven away league games have yielded only two points.

Only Rizespor have conceded more goals away from home than Kayserispor this season, and if they are to start picking up points on their travels, they need to improve defensively.

Team News

Yeni Malatyaspor have been without Mustafa Eskihellac for their last five competitive fixtures, and the midfielder is likely to miss out once again due to a thigh problem.

Karim Hafez is also unavailable for the hosts as he serves a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Although, there is positive news as Oussama Haddadi will be available after missing the weekend encounter against Rizespor due to suspension.

As for Kayserispor, they are without Bernard Mensah, with an ACL injury set to keep him out for the remainder of the season.

Dimitrios Kolovetsios returned from suspension to start at the weekend, and the defender is set to keep his place in the side.

Although Mario Gavranovic also returned to the squad on Saturday following a one-match suspension, the striker had to settle for a place on the bench, but he could come into the starting lineup for Thursday's encounter.

Yeni Malatyaspor possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Ciftpinar, Kaya, Wallace; Mallan, Aabid, Ndong, Haddadi; Buyuk, Chouiar, Tetteh

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Lung Jr; Bulut, Hosseini, Kolovetsios, Carole; Bassan, Kemen, Campanharo, Akdag, Thiam; Gavranovic

We say: Yeni Malatyaspor 1-1 Kayserispor

Yeni Malatyaspor are winless in their last three home league games, while Kayserispor have struggled away from home, and we think with both teams low on confidence that they may settle for a point apiece.

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