Adana VS Goztepe

Adana Demirspor, who have already been relegated from the Turkish Super Lig, will host Goztepe SK this Sunday at the New Adana Stadium in a match that could play a significant role in the visitors' hopes of finishing the season strongly. With just a few weeks remaining, Goztepe are looking to solidify their position in the league and finish their campaign on a positive note.

Currently, Goztepe occupies eighth place in the Turkish top-flight standings with 43 points, comfortably sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone. This buffer has allowed them to breathe easier as the end of the season approaches, knowing that their place in the Super Lig for next year is almost certainly secured. However, they are still nine points behind the coveted European qualification spots, which makes securing a good finish even more important. While they will not be able to challenge for European football this season, their focus will be on making sure they end the season in a respectable position in the league.

Adana Demirspor, on the other hand, has endured a dreadful season, and the struggles have only intensified as the campaign has gone on. After being relegated, the team finds itself in a very difficult position, with no chance of survival, but their struggles are far from over. Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Konyaspor marked the team’s sixth consecutive loss, which extended their winless streak to 15 games in the league. This has now become their longest-ever winless run in top-flight football. Despite being confirmed as relegated, Adana Demirspor has continued to play an attacking style, with a number of their younger academy players being given more opportunities in the first team, signaling that the club is trying to build for the future.

However, there have been few positives to take from the season for Adana Demirspor, and one of the major concerns has been their disastrous defensive record. Having conceded a league-high 77 goals so far this season, they are now on the verge of equaling the all-time record for goals conceded in a single Super Lig campaign, which stands at 91 goals, set by city rivals Adanaspor during the 2000-01 season. With five matches still to be played, Adana Demirspor is just 14 goals away from reaching that unenviable mark, and they will need to drastically improve defensively if they are to avoid breaking this unwanted record.

The hosts have also struggled to pick up points, having lost 25 of their 31 league matches. With only five games left in the season, they are now just three defeats away from matching the record for most losses in a single Turkish top-flight season, which is 28 defeats. This is a dire statistic that highlights just how difficult the season has been for Adana Demirspor, as they have not been able to get anything resembling consistency in their performances. Even with their relegation confirmed, the team has nothing left to lose and will be looking to end the season on a high by securing a few victories in their remaining matches.

Goztepe, in contrast, are in a much more favorable position, having had a relatively positive campaign since returning to the Super Lig. This is their first season back in the top division since the 2021-22 season, and they have shown resilience throughout the year. Although European qualification is no longer a realistic target for the club, their primary goal now is survival, and it seems as though they have done enough to ensure that they will remain in the Super Lig for next season. Their current position in eighth place provides them with a comfortable cushion above the relegation zone, and they can now look ahead to next season with a sense of optimism, having avoided the immediate threat of relegation.

One of the key factors behind Goztepe's relative success this season has been their recent resurgence. Last weekend, they managed an impressive 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, a result that brought an end to an agonizing 11-game winless streak in the league. This win was not only a huge morale booster for the team but also demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure when needed most. Goztepe had been struggling for form, but this victory has given them a renewed sense of confidence and belief as they look to finish the season strong.

Despite their recent improvement, Goztepe's away form remains a major concern. They have not won any of their last nine away games, drawing four and losing five, and their record on the road has been one of the reasons why they have not been able to challenge for higher positions in the league. However, a trip to the league's bottom side presents them with a prime opportunity to finally break their away winless streak. Adana Demirspor’s poor form and lack of defensive solidity should provide Goztepe with the chance to claim all three points, and they will be hoping to take advantage of the situation to secure a much-needed victory on the road.

Historically, Goztepe have not had a good record at the New Adana Stadium. Their last visit to the ground ended in a humiliating 7-0 defeat, and they will certainly be looking to avoid a similar outcome this time around. However, with the tables having turned and Adana Demirspor now struggling at the bottom of the league, Goztepe will be optimistic that this match could provide them with the perfect opportunity to claim their first-ever victory at this stadium. The stakes are not as high for Goztepe as they were when the two sides last met, but the team will still be motivated to finish the season on a high and avoid any embarrassment in what should be a winnable game.

For Adana Demirspor, the match against Goztepe represents another chance to salvage some pride after a season that has seen them fall to the depths of the Super Lig standings. While they are already relegated and their main focus is likely on building for next season, they will be eager to avoid a final stretch of humiliating defeats. The team will also be looking to give their younger players some valuable top-flight experience, as the club starts planning for life in the second division. There is no question that Adana Demirspor's season has been one of the most disappointing in recent memory, but a strong performance in this match could help them leave a positive mark on their remaining fixtures.

On the other hand, Goztepe will approach the match with the aim of continuing their upward trajectory and ensuring that they do not falter in the final weeks of the season. A victory over a team that has already been relegated would be a crucial step in ensuring that they finish in the top half of the table and set themselves up for next season. While European qualification remains out of reach, Goztepe will still want to build on the momentum gained from their recent win and finish the campaign with as many points as possible.

In summary, this match between Adana Demirspor and Goztepe is a tale of two very different campaigns. For the hosts, the season has been a struggle, marked by defeats, defensive frailty, and a confirmed relegation to the second division. For Goztepe, it has been a season of survival and steady progress, with a recent upturn in form offering hope for the future. The visitors will be looking to end their away-day woes with a victory in Adana, while the hosts will be hoping to secure a few more positive results in what has been a very difficult season. The match holds significant implications for Goztepe’s final league position, while Adana Demirspor will be focusing on building for the future, with the goal of ending the season with a bit of pride intact.