Alanyaspor vs. Samsunspor – News and Probable Lineups

Alanyaspor aims to mathematically secure their place in the Turkish Super Lig as they host Samsunspor at Bahcesehir School Arena on Monday afternoon.

Both sides come into this match following disappointing exits from the Turkish Cup, having been eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Match overview

In this matchup, Alanyaspor understands that a favorable result could nearly guarantee their continuation in the top flight, sitting mid-table with a solid lead over the relegation zone.

The home team has collected 33 points from 30 matches, placing them around 12th in the rankings, seven points clear of relegation. A victory could extend their lead to 10 points, all but ensuring their Super Lig status with just three matches remaining after this.

However, Alanyaspor heads into this match on a four-match winless streak in all competitions (2D, 2L), which includes a 3-0 defeat to Besiktas in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

Joao Pereira’s squad has not found the back of the net in their last two outings, following a 1-0 defeat to Kasimpasa in their most recent league game.

Their season has also been characterized by numerous draws, with Alanyaspor having levelled the score 15 times, the most of any team in the league, although this could be sufficient in Monday’s encounter.

Nonetheless, playing at home may be an advantage, as Alanyaspor will aim to benefit from their familiar environment, having avoided defeat in their previous league matches at home, including a decisive 5-0 win over Kocaelispor alongside draws with Genclerbiligi and Trabzonspor.

Additionally, the Alanya team has never lost to Samsunspor in the Super Lig, with two wins and three draws over five encounters in the top division.

Samsunspor, on the other hand, enters with a stronger league standing but carries its own frustrations due to an inconsistent performance that has diminished their efforts to climb the table.

The visitors currently occupy the seventh spot with 42 points, placing them comfortably outside the relegation zone but still distant from a serious challenge for European spots.

They come into this match after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals, but will aim to secure a third consecutive league victory, having recently triumphed 2-1 against Eyupspor and Besiktas.

Away from home, Samsunspor has just ended a two-match losing streak with their victory against Eyupspor, and they will look to build on that momentum to achieve their first top-flight win in this matchup.

Team News

Alanyaspor will be without Yusuf Ozdemir, suspended by the Turkish Football Federation, which leaves him as the sole absentee from the squad.

Ianis Hagi, who sustained an injury against Gaziantep, and Meschack Elia, who has been unavailable, both made their returns in the cup match and are expected to play in this fixture.

Samsunspor will face this match without their Ivory Coast forward Jaures Assoumou, sidelined due to a knee injury.

Young defender Bedirhan Cetin is also nursing a knee issue, and he is likely to remain out, while Celil Yuksel is listed as doubtful.

Alanyaspor probable starting XI:

Victor; Akgad, Lima, Aksoy; Hadergjonaj, Makouta, January, Rouen; Hwang, Yalcin, Kaya

Samsunspor probable starting XI:

Kocuk; Yavru, Van Drongelen, Satka, Tomasson; Ntcham, Makoumbou; Kilinc, Holse, Coulibaly; Marius

Both teams have shown a tendency to draw in recent weeks, and this match appears set for another closely contested encounter.

Alanyaspor’s drive to ensure their survival could motivate them, but Samsunspor’s solid organization and resilience suggest that they will be hard to overcome, making a draw the most plausible result.