Istanbul Basaksehir will be looking for a victory that will help them return to the top of the Turkish Super Lig table on Monday when they host Sivasspor.
Meanwhile, the visitors are at the complete opposite end of the table at the moment as they sit in the relegation zone, which is something they could potentially escape with three points.
Basaksehir have had a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign, as they head into the new week as the only unbeaten side in the entire division.
This run has helped them get into the title hunt straight away, and with a game in hand on Adana Demirspor, they have the opportunity of climbing into the top of the table on Monday.
Basaksehir have showcased impressive defensive performances throughout this season, as they have only conceded a single goal.
Even though they played out a draw in their most recent game in the Europa Conference League, even that encounter saw them keep a clean sheet as the contest ended goalless.
That strong defensive record is something that Sivasspor will be trying to break, but with the joint-worst goal difference in the division, it could be a tough call.
The visitors are currently sitting in the relegation zone in 17th place on four points, and they are one of only two sides without victory in the division.
Riza Calimbay’s side have been able to draw half of their matches to this point, proving that they have the ability to put up a fighting effort in every game they have.
That is something that Sivasspor will be looking to repeat on Monday, especially since creating an impressive first victory does have the possibility of pulling them out of the bottom four, but that would also rely on the teams above them dropping points.
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Sivasspor head to head
These two teams have previously met on 42 occasions across all competitions, where Basaksehir have claimed 18 victories while Sivasspor have won 11, and they have drawn in 13. Basaksehir have scored 52 goals and conceded 42. In their last five meetings, Basaksehir have won two while they have drawn three.
Sivasspor 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir 09/02/20
Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Sivasspor 16/01/21
Sivasspor 0-0 Istanbul Basaksehir 08/05/21
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Sivasspor 20/11/21
Sivasspor 0-2 Istanbul Basaksehir 10/04/22
Istanbul Basaksehir latest home form
Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Eyupspor 5-2 in their last home game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just two.
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Kayserispor 21/08/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Alanyaspor 03/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 Fiorentina 15/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 0-0 Fatih Karagumruk 18/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 5-2 Eyupspor 25/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir latest away form
Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form on the road, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Rigas in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded just one.
Antwerp 1-3 Istanbul Basaksehir 25/08/22
Hearts 0-4 Istanbul Basaksehir 08/09/22
Besiktas 0-1 Istanbul Basaksehir 12/09/22
Ankaragucu 1-2 Istanbul Basaksehir 01/10/22
Rigas FS 0-0 Istanbul Basaksehir 06/10/22
Sivasspor latest home form
Sivasspor have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having lost each of their two most recent matches. They lost 4-3 to Ballkani in their last home game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded eight.
Sivasspor 1-1 Slavia Prague 08/09/22
Sivasspor 1-1 Istanbulspor 11/09/22
Sivasspor 3-0 Tokat Bld Plevnespor 25/09/22
Sivasspor 1-2 Hatayspor 02/10/22
Sivasspor 3-4 Ballkani 06/10/22
Sivasspor latest away form
Sivasspor have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Ankaragucu in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 11.
Adana Demirspor 3-0 Sivasspor 13/08/22
Malmo 3-1 Sivasspor 18/08/22
Besiktas 3-1 Sivasspor 29/08/22
CFR Cluj 0-1 Sivasspor 15/09/22
Ankaragucu 2-1 Sivasspor 18/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir news
Istanbul Basaksehir will again take to the pitch without Mesut Ozil, who missed out during their goalless draw in midweek as he is currently dealing with a back problem.
The hosts are unlikely to make changes defensively considering their dominance throughout this season, with Stafano Okaka expected to provide the goals.
Sivasspor news
Sivasspor impressed offensively in their midweek defeat by scoring three goals, and that could lead to very few changes being made in the attacking end of the pitch.
Ahmed Musa and Leke James could be unavailable on Monday as they have both been out of action recently through injury problems.
Prediction and Odds
There is plenty on the line in this particular encounter that features two sides from opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig table.
Sivasspor might may be fighting to pull out of the relegation zone in the early stages of the season, but Basaksehir have a stronger squad, and should get the win.
Odds: 1 2.18 X 2.05 2 2.31
Probable outcomes
Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 Sivasspor
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Sivasspor
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Sivasspor
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-2 Sivasspor
Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Sivasspor
