Gaziantep vs Alanyaspor – News and Probable Lineups

Two teams positioned firmly in the unremarkable mid-table of the Turkish Super Lig will look to build some late-season energy as Gaziantep hosts Alanyaspor at Gaziantep Stadyumu on Saturday afternoon.

The home side is aiming for only its second win across all competitions since mid-February (1W, 2D, 4L), while the visitors come in with an unbeaten streak of three matches (1W, 2D).

Match overview

Gaziantep has faced difficulties in attaining consistency recently, managing to win just one of their last six league encounters, netting seven times while conceding 11 goals in that stretch.

However, they managed to remain unbeaten in three straight Super Lig fixtures until suffering a heavy 4-1 loss against Fenerbahce before the international break.

Nene Dorgeles found the net first, giving Fenerbahce the edge at halftime, but Alexandru Maxim responded with a penalty in the 52nd minute. Yet, N’Golo Kante restored Fenerbahce’s lead just minutes later, and Dorgeles capped off a hat-trick to secure a convincing triumph.

Having played their last two games away, Gaziantep will seek to leverage the familiarity of their home ground for an immediate rebound, though past encounters with Alanyaspor indicate it may not be an easy task.

The Falcons have struggled against the visitors, as they are winless in their last four matches against them, recording three losses and one draw—a scoreless draw earlier this season—with two of those defeats occurring at Gaziantep Stadyumu.

Recent performances at home are also troubling, having fallen to Trabzonspor in the league and Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup, followed by a disappointing draw with Fatih Karagumruk in another league clash.

With Gaziantep currently in ninth place with 33 points and Alanyaspor just two points behind in tenth, the visitors will see this match as a chance to surpass their hosts and break into the upper tier of the table.

The Thunders can also derive confidence from their recent record at this venue, having achieved victory in their last three league visits to Gaziantep Stadyumu, scoring seven goals without response.

In addition, they had a strong performance right before the international break, winning 5-0 against Kocaelispor, with five different players contributing to the scoreline—two in the first half and three in the second—in what marks their largest league victory historically.

This success came after draws against Goztepe (2-2) and Genclerbirligi (0-0), resulting in the visitors being unbeaten in three matches following a streak of three straight defeats.

Alanyaspor will be motivated to keep this momentum alive while also trying to end an 11-match winless run away from home in the Super Lig (9D, 2L).

Team News

Gaziantep approaches this fixture with several injury issues, with Kevin Rodrigues ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Denis Dragus, Ali Mevran Ablak, and Salem M’Bakata are all sidelined with knee problems, while Badou Ndiaye is nearing a return but remains doubtful for this match.

Guinén striker Mohamed Bayo, currently on loan from Lille, has been a standout in the Turkish Super Lig this season—leading the Falcons with 12 league goals and among the top five forwards in the league, making him the key player to watch.

Maxim is anticipated to support him in attack, aiming to score his third goal in four league appearances.

As for Alanyaspor, the notable absence is Yusuf Ozdemir, who is serving a suspension due to his involvement in a betting scandal earlier this season that has rocked Turkish football.

Maestro is also close to completing his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out since early February after his last appearance on January 31.

Steve Mounie, who scored for Benin during the international break, is expected to lead the line for the visitors and will be eager to break a three-match goal drought for the Thunders.

Gaziantep probable starting XI:

Bozan; Sanuc, Mujakic, Abena; Perez, Kozlowski, Kabasakal, Gassama, Kabadayi; Maxim, Bayo

Alanyaspor probable starting XI:

Victor; Akdag, Aliti, Lima; Hadergjonaj, Makouta, January, Rouen; Hagi, Hwang Ui-Jo; Mounie

Given Alanyaspor’s historical edge in this matchup and the confidence stemming from their recent 5-0 victory, they have ample reason to feel optimistic about this fixture. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that Gaziantep may secure something from the match, especially considering the visitors’ lack of consistency throughout the season.