Pendikspor take on Fatih Karagumruk at the Pendik Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in the latest round of Turkish Super Lig fixtures.
The hosts head into the game 17th in the table, having been unable to win any of their opening five games, while the visitors are up in 13th place.
Match preview
As things stand, Pendikspor are just inside the Turkish Super Lig relegation zone, having collected just three points from their first five games in the top flight, after being promoted from the second tier last season.
The side from Istanbul are still yet to get their first win on the board, and they got off to the worst possible start to the campaign, losing 5-1 at home against Hatayspor, but there are some positives to take from their opening five matches.
Osman Ozkoylu's side have managed to draw three of their games, most notably picking up a point in dramatic style away at giants Besiktas, with Oscar Romero equalising from the spot in the 94th minute.
Since then, Pendikspor have also played out 1-1 draws with Kasimpasa and Alanyaspor, two established Turkish Super Lig sides, but they were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat in their last match.
Away at Adana Demirspor, Ozkolyu's men fell to a 3-0 defeat, which means they are still searching for their first win as a Turkish Super Lig side.
Karagumruk have managed to get their first win on the board this season, with their solitary victory coming away against Istanbul Basaksehir back in August courtesy of goals from Ryan Mendes and Adnan Ugur.
Although they have failed to win any of their other matches, the Black Red can take some positives from their start to the campaign, having shipped just three goals, which means they have the joint-second best defensive record in the division.
However, Alparslan Erdem's side have not looked particularly threatening on the front foot, failing to score in three of their first five games, including each of their last two, and they are now three games without a win.
Last time out, Karagumruk played out a 0-0 draw at home against Hatayspor in a game where they created very few chances, recording just two shots on target, so a much-improved performance will be needed this weekend.
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Team News
Pendikspor will be without long-term absentee Koka, as the striker is still yet to make his first appearance for the club due to a knee injury, meaning Erencan Yardimci is set to lead the line for the hosts.
After the 3-0 defeat against Adana Demirspor last time out, Ozkoylu could make a couple of changes to his side, with Josip Vukovic potentially replacing Fredrik Midtsjo in midfield, having been brought on at half-time in the previous match.
Karagumruk do not have any fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday's game, but given that his side have not scored in their last two games, Erdem may consider making some changes in attacking areas.
Guven Yalcin made his first appearance for the Black Red in the last match, and the 24-year-old could replace Serdar Dursun at striker.
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Asan, Welinton, Rassoul, Sequeira; Thuram, Midtsjo, Lusamba, Akbunar, Romero; Yardimci
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Veseli, Biraschi, Ceccherini, Mercan; Sturaro, Ugur, Mendes, Rohden, Lasagna; Dursun
We say: Pendikspor 1-1 Fatih Karagumruk
Fatih Karagumruk have collected two more points than Pendikspor in their opening five games, but they are now three games without a win, and they are struggling to find the back of the net.
The hosts have already drawn three games 1-1 this season, so it would not be a surprise if we see the same scoreline on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
