Gaziantep FK vs BB Erzurumspor – News and Probable Lineups

Gaziantep aims to end their series of defeats as they welcome BB Erzurumspor to Gaziantep Stadyumu on Saturday in the Turkish Super Lig.

Orhan Ak’s team has faced three losses in the league consecutively and hasn’t found the back of the net in their last two encounters at home, placing them in a position where they must deliver a strong performance in front of their fans against an Erzurumspor side that arrives on a high after a 2-0 victory over Eyupspor and has conceded only once in their last three league fixtures.

Match overview

Recent matches for Gaziantep have highlighted increasing issues in their attacking play, having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir last time after previously losing 3-0 at home to Corum and 2-0 against Kocaelispor.

Concerns are growing regarding their home performance heading into this match, as the Falcons have yet to register a victory at home this season, drawing twice and losing twice in their four fixtures at Gaziantep Stadyumu.

Their campaign at home started with a 1-1 draw versus Alanyaspor, followed by a 2-1 setback against Caykur Rizespor, while a stalemate against Fenerbahce provided some hope before the loss to Corum meant they have been goalless in their last two home outings.

Furthermore, their history in this particular fixture is not promising, having failed to defeat Erzurumspor in all five meetings, managing only three draws and two losses, including their last Super Lig clash in 2021.

On the other hand, Erzurumspor arrives in Gaziantep in better form, having amassed seven points in their last three league games, starting with a goalless draw against Alanyaspor, then securing a 1-0 win against Samsunspor, and rounding off with a 2-0 triumph against Eyupspor.

Head coach Serkan Ozbalta will be particularly satisfied with his team’s defensive performance, as they have kept three clean sheets consecutively, bringing their total to four in eight league matches this season, with all four shutouts occurring in their last five games after previously conceding eight goals in their opening three fixtures.

Nonetheless, Ozbalta will also look for improvements in their attacking unit, having recorded only five goals this season, a tally that eclipses only that of Eyupspor (two) and Konyaspor (four).

Their away struggles are further pronounced, having scored just once in four matches, remaining winless with two draws and two losses while also conceding seven times.

Team News

Gaziantep is expected to miss Fuat Bavuk, who is recuperating from an ankle injury, while Nazim Sangare remains uncertain due to a back issue, and Ali Kalin is also listed as an injury doubt.

Kacper Kozlowski has been the player creating the most significant chances for Gaziantep this season, with six, and will look to orchestrate play as his team attempts to break their goal drought at home.

Conversely, Erzurumspor presents a more stable situation ahead of their visit, with no confirmed absences for this encounter, although Festy Ebosele is a potential doubt and his status is still unclear.

Miguel Cardoso and Eren Tozlu are anticipated to spearhead the attack following their scoring against Eyupspor, while Brandon Baiye and Elisha Owusu will be crucial to the midfield structure for the visitors.

Gaziantep probable starting XI

Tobiasz; Perez, Kizildag, Abena, Sylla; Ozcicek; Sorescu, Gidado, Kozlowski, Camara; Stewart

BB Erzurumspor probable starting XI

Taskiran; Ovacikli, Gerxhaliu, Yumlu, Mujakic, Giorbelidze; Baiye, Owusu, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Tozlu

Gaziantep possesses sufficient attacking talents to make this competitive, especially if Kozlowski succeeds in finding space between Erzurumspor’s midfield and defence, but the hosts have encountered difficulties in capitalizing on their chances while the visitors have appeared more organized in recent weeks, suggesting that a draw could be the most likely result as the visitors strive to maintain their defensive solidity and the hosts look to snap their losing streak.