Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Antalyaspor and Bodrumspor, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams looking to steer further away from the relegation zone will go head-to-head when Antalyaspor host Bodrumspor at New Antalya Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams are on 11 points in the Turkish Super Lig table, and are just one point ahead of the relegation zone after playing 11 matches.
Match preview
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Antalyaspor failed to build on their win over Alanyaspor, as they lost 2-0 to Samsunspor at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadyumu on Monday evening.
The Scorpions conceded just before the half-time break, and four minutes into the second half, leaving them with a sixth Super Lig defeat of the season.
Alex de Souza‘s men dropped to 14th after the loss, and are dangerously close to the drop zone as they head into their first-ever top-flight meeting with Bodrumspor.
Both teams have met once in a non-competitive clash with Antalyaspor winning 2-0, but the hosts will fancy their chances of repeating this result given how the visitors have also struggled so far.
However, the Scorpions have lost their last two home matches after winning two and drawing one of the opening three, though these losses can be overlooked given that they were against Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, two high-quality opponents.
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Bodrum will hope to end a run of four matches without a win when they make the trip to Antalya, having lost and drawn two each since the win over Adana Demirspor on September 29.
Last Sunday, the newly-promoted side played a goalless draw against Alanyaspor despite playing close to half an hour with ten men, following Musah Mohammed‘s dismissal in the 64th minute.
It was the first game in charge for head coach Omer Erdogan who took over from Ismet Tasdemir who left by mutual agreement after the loss to Fenerbahce.
Bodrum have lost three of the five away matches they have played so far, drawing one and winning just one over Hatayspor, while they have not found the net in their last two matches on the road.
Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Bodrumspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Team News
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Antalyaspor are likely to remain without Emrecan Uzunhan and Bunyamin Balci, who are hoping to recover in time from muscle and finger injuries respectively.
Twenty-nine-year-old centre-back Bahadir Ozturk is also sidelined until the middle of the month with an ankle injury.
Bodrum will be without Suleyman Ozdamar and Tunahan Akpinar for the clash, while Mustafa Erdilman is out until next year with a ligament injury.
Christophe Herelle is doubtful as he hopes to recover in time from an ankle injury, while Mohammed is suspended after being sent off last time out.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Piric; Yesilyurt, Sari, Gerxhaliu, Vural; Rakip, Petrusenko, Rakip; Djenepo, Larsson, Dikmen; Gaich
Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Celustka, Ajeti, Aytemur, Bilsel; Antalyali, Brazao; Dimitrov, Yalcin, Bayrakdar; Puscas
We say: Antalyaspor 1-1 Bodrumspor
Both Antalyaspor and Bodrum are currently operating at a similar level, according to major metrics, and both teams are struggling to convert chances at the moment, which is why we are predicting a draw for this clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.