Adana Demirspor will host relegation-threatened Istanbulspor in the Super Lig on Wednesday. Whereas Hakan Yakin’s guests are fighting for first-division survival, Serkan Damla’s Blue Lightnings are chasing dreams of Europe.
Preview (Adana Demirspor vs. Istanbulspor)
The sole positive result in Adana Demirspor’s past eight games is a goalless draw against Istanbul Basaksehir. Their lone recent win, coming on Christmas Eve against Antalyaspor, came by a narrow margin. The Blue Lightnings have picked up 28 points from seven victories, seven draws, and four losses to maintain their position in seventh place, one point behind Kayserispor in the competition for the final European ticket, despite their recent downturn.
Since the beginning of November, the Adana-based squad has only collected eight points out of a possible twenty-four. They will need to rapidly increase this total to stay up with the teams holding the European spots. But for Damla’s team, home is where the heart is. They have scored 22 of their 28 points at the New Adana Stadium. It is good for third place in the league behind only Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. They will be eager to avoid repeating their only home loss in recent memory against Istanbulspor. It occurred in their last two games and was an unexpected 3-2 setback to Samsunspor. In the past, Adana has dominated this matchup, winning nine of the fourteen games overall.
Istanbulspor’s problems, meanwhile, only got worse as they suffered their fourth straight loss, a 5-1 thumping at the hands of league leaders Fenerbahce. With five points from 18 games, the Bulls are still at the bottom of the league. Since their victory over Hatayspor in November, they have given up ten goals and scored just one. Being one of just two clubs in the league without a road win, Istanbulspor has only achieved one point in eight away games, making their away performance one of their greatest weaknesses. With Adana’s dismal record against the Blue Lightnings, there is little chance for a comeback in their matchup this Wednesday.
Team News
With a knee injury, Maro Balotelli is doubtful for the home team, and Yusuf Sari is also out with a ligament problem that will keep him out until March. Papa Alioune Ndiaye is not allowed to play in this game because he is traveling with Senegal for the AFCON. Due to a hamstring injury, Eduardo Rroca will not be available for Istanbulspor until January.
Yakin is anticipated to remain with the 4-3-3 lineup that Fenerbahce saw, with Jackson, Valon Ethemi, and Aslassane Ndao lining up in front of the defense. Due to their home advantage and past victories over Istanbulspor, Adana Demirspor are clear favorite.
Adana Demirspor 2-1 Istanbulspor
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