Sports Mole previews Saturday's Turkish Super League clash between Eyupspor and Goztepe SK, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The two teams hope to get closer to the top four when the Turkish Super League goes head to head. IUP track host Kostep SK Saturday at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan stadium.
Both teams are on the same number of points, both have 12 points so far, four points behind the top four.
Competition Preview
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After earning promotion to the Turkish Super League for the first time in its history at the end of the previous season, Euspor fared better than most predicted.
The Istanbul-based club currently sit eighth in the table with eight games left, but their two defeats have only come in their last three games, which could indicate some damage.
Burn DuranA 1-1 draw led to a 2-1 defeat to Konyaspor in their last league match, conceding seven minutes of the final quarter.
Eyupspor will be hoping for a fourth league win when they face Goztepe in the top flight for the first time, although they have met 10 times in the lower leagues and Eyupsultan have only won once.
Having played three Super League games at home this season, the hosts are yet to lose at home, winning two and drawing one, scoring seven goals and losing three of those games.
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After suffering their first defeat of the season in a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Samsonspor at the Samson Mays Stadium on May 19, Kostep was on the positive side last time out, securing a 3-2 home win for Sivasspor.
Stanimir StoilovWin's team seemed to have the game in their hands, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes. Romulo Cardoso AND Isaac SolettBut they conceded two goals in seven minutes of the second half to lose the lead.
With the match tied, Chelsea remains on loan David Datro Fobana He scored the winning goal for Kostep in the 94th minute, taking his team to sixth place after seven games.
The visitors will hope to get something out of their game against Eyupspor, a team they have historically dominated, winning six of their last 10 games, including the last three.
However, the Izmir team has had poor results away from home so far, as they have failed to win three of their away games, drawing two and losing one.
Eyupspor Turkish Super League Format:
Goztepe SK Turkish Super League Format:
Group messages
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Eyupspor will be left without a midfielder Recep NiazOut due to a knee injury until early November, and Umud MerazHe is out due to an ankle problem.
Thai Thiam He did not play his last league game but the striker, who has scored three goals this season, could return for this clash.
Bruno Gianni Having led the line last time out, the 33-year-old striker could retain his place in the starting XI in Thiam's absence.
Goztepe will continue without Kublai CanadciscusHe is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until later this month, too. Novatus MiroshiAnyone out there with the same problem.
Cardoso, who has found the net four times for the visitors this season, the most of any member of the team, is expected to start in the front two alongside Juan.
Possible starting lineup for Eyupspor:
Ozer; Dubois, Claro, Yalcin, Erkin; Kapasakal, Mitzvo; Ampem, size, lipstick; bruno
Possible starting lineup for Goztepe SK:
Lies; Altikardes, Heliton, Koybasi; Djalma, Tijanic, Solet, Dennis, Sangare; Cardoso, Juan
We say: Eyupspor 1-1 Goztepe SK
Eyupspor have struggled in this competition with just one win in 10 games, but their form this season has been solid and should be enough to secure a draw against a Kostep team who are winless away from home.
Click here to see data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.
