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9 hours ago
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Two teams hoping to climb closer to the top four in the Turkish Super Lig will go head-to-head when Eyupspor host Goztepe SK at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu on Saturday.
The two sides are on the same number of points, both having picked up 12 points so far, four points off the top four.
Match preview
© Imago
Eyupspor have performed better than most predicted after winning promotion to the Turkish Super Lig for the first time in their history at the end of the previous season.
The Istanbul-based club are currently sitting eighth in the table after playing eight matches, but their only two losses have come in the last three matches, which could indicate some vulnerability.
Arda Turan's side heartbreakingly lost 2-1 to Konyaspor in their most recent league match, conceding seven minutes into stoppage time in a game that was edging towards a 1-1 draw.
Eyupspor will hope to pick up a fourth league victory when they take on Goztepe for the first time ever in the top flight, though they have met 10 times in the lower leagues, with the Eyupsultan winning just once.
Having already played three Super Lig matches on home soil this season, the hosts are yet to lose at home, winning two and drawing one, scoring seven times and conceding three times across those games.
© Imago
After suffering their first defeat of the season in a dramatic 4-3 loss to Samsunspor at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium, Goztepe were on the positive end of the stick last time out, edging a 3-2 win at home to Sivasspor.
Stanimir Stoilov's side appeared to have the game in their grasp, scoring twice within the first 10 minutes via Romulo Cardoso and Isaac Solet, but they conceded two goals within seven second-half minutes to relinquish the lead.
With the game looking to end in a draw, Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana stepped up in the 94th minute to win the game for Goztepe, taking his side to sixth place after playing seven matches.
The visitors will hope to take something from their game against Eyupspor, a side they have historically dominated, winning six times in their 10 meetings, including the last three.
However, the Izmir-based side have been poor on the road so far, failing to win any of their three away matches, drawing two and losing one.
Eyupspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Goztepe SK Turkish Super Lig form:
Team News
© Imago
Eyupspor will remain without midfielder Recep Niyaz, who is sidelined with a knee injury until early November, and Umut Meras, who is out with an ankle issue.
Mame Thiam did not feature in their last league match, but the striker, who has netted three times this season, could return for this clash.
Gianni Bruno led the line last time out, and in the absence of Thiam, the 33-year-old forward could retain his spot in the starting XI.
Goztepe will continue to be without Kubilay Kanatsizkus, who is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until later this month, as well as Novatus Miroshi, who is out with the same issue.
Cardoso, who has found the net four times for the visitors this season, the most by anyone in the team, is expected to start in a front two alongside Juan.
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Dubois, Claro, Yalcin, Erkin; Kabasakal, Midtsjo; Ampem, Saiz, Kutucu; Bruno
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Altikardes, Heliton, Koybasi; Djalma, Tijanic, Solet, Dennis, Sangare; Cardoso, Juan
We say: Eyupspor 1-1 Goztepe SK
Eyupspor have struggled in this fixture, with just one win in 10 meetings, but their home form this season has been solid, and this should be enough to help them earn a draw against a Goztepe side that are yet to win on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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