Eyupspor vs. Gaziantep: Turkish Super Lig Clash Preview
As the Turkish Super Lig heats up, Eyupspor will host Gaziantep at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu this Sunday. After a promising start to the season, Eyupspor is looking to bounce back from their first defeat, while Gaziantep is desperate for a turnaround after a series of disappointing results. This matchup promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams seek to solidify their positions in the league.
Match Preview
Eyupspor, newly promoted to the Super Lig for the first time in their 105-year history, has surprised many with their early-season form. Under the guidance of Turkish football legend Arda Turan, the team kicked off their campaign with a commendable 1-1 draw against Alanyaspor, followed by back-to-back victories over Bodrumspor and Sivasspor. However, their unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end last week when they faced a strong Besiktas side, suffering a 2-1 defeat.
Despite this setback, Eyupspor currently sits in seventh place with nine points from six matches. Their performance has garnered praise, but they must now demonstrate resilience to avoid a downward spiral. The team has shown a solid defensive structure, but they will need to find more consistency in their attacking play to secure a win against Gaziantep.
On the other hand, Gaziantep started the season positively with a 1-0 victory over Bodrumspor but has since struggled to find their rhythm. Following that initial win, they faced three consecutive defeats against Samsunspor, Sivasspor, and Galatasaray. Their most recent outing ended in a goalless draw against Trabzonspor, which provided a much-needed point but left them languishing near the bottom of the table. Currently, Gaziantep sits just above the relegation zone, and with only three goals scored in their last five matches, they must improve their attacking output to turn their fortunes around.
Team News
Eyupspor will be without midfielders Taskin Ilter and Recep Niyaz, who are sidelined with ankle and muscle injuries, respectively. Ilter is set to miss his sixth consecutive match, while Niyaz’s absence will be felt in the midfield battle. Additionally, Emre Mor is unavailable as he awaits his debut after joining from Fenerbahce on loan.
Gaziantep faces a similar predicament with several key players missing. Kacper Kozlowski is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Mirza Cihan and Emre Tasdemir are out with injuries. The visitors will also be without Quentin Daubin and Mustafa Eskihellac, although Daubin is nearing a return. Godfrey Stephen remains a long-term absentee due to a tendon injury.
Possible Lineups
Eyupspor’s Likely Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Ozer
- Defenders: Erkin, Claro, Yalcin, Dubois
- Midfielders: Kabasakal, Sainz, Midtsjo
- Forwards: Kutucu, Thiam, Akbaba
Gaziantep’s Likely Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Dioudis
- Defenders: Artan, Kizildag, Viana, Saborit
- Midfielders: Sorescu, Soyalp, Ndiaye, Lungoyi
- Forwards: Kozlowski, Okereke
Prediction
Given the current form of both teams, Eyupspor will be favored to secure a victory at home. Gaziantep’s struggles in front of goal and their inability to find consistent form make them vulnerable against a determined Eyupspor side. Our prediction leans towards a narrow 1-0 win for Eyupspor, as they look to capitalize on their home advantage and bounce back from their recent defeat.
As the match approaches, fans will be eager to see if Eyupspor can maintain their strong start to the season or if Gaziantep can finally find their footing and secure a much-needed victory. This clash promises to be a captivating encounter in the Turkish Super Lig.