Goztepe vs Alanyaspor

Göztepe SK, one of the top four hopefuls in the Turkish Super Lig, will be aiming to recover from their recent loss when they host Alanyaspor at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium for the 22nd round of the competition. Göztepe’s recent match ended in a 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahçe, while Alanyaspor managed a thrilling 5-4 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir. This win helped Alanyaspor remain in 11th place, sitting with 25 points—nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Göztepe, having recently fallen short in their trip to Fenerbahçe, now hope to bounce back with a strong performance on home soil. The 3-2 loss was a hard blow for the team, especially after they had been enjoying a successful period. Their defeat against Fenerbahçe brought an end to a three-match winning streak, one that had seen them climb into the top four. With 34 points, they now sit in 5th place, just two points behind Eyüpspor, who occupy the fourth and final European qualification spot. The loss was especially disappointing for Göztepe’s coach, Stanimir Stoilov, and the team, as they had initially taken a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute through Juan. However, Fenerbahçe quickly turned the game around in the second half, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring a brace and Oguz Aydin adding another. Despite Novatus Miroshi’s 82nd-minute strike, which made the scoreline 3-2, Göztepe couldn’t recover, marking their sixth defeat of the season. Despite this setback, Göztepe has had an impressive season overall, staying in the race for European qualification, which is remarkable considering they were only promoted to the Super Lig this season.

Göztepe's remarkable season is mainly due to their impressive home form at Gürsel Aksel Stadium. The team has been formidable at home, winning 9 of their 10 home games so far, with just one draw. This makes them the second-best home team in the league, trailing only the top-ranked side. What stands out even more is their strength on both sides of the pitch. They have scored 26 goals in home matches—joint-second most in the league—and have conceded only six, which is also joint-second fewest. Their home form has undoubtedly been a major contributor to their high position in the standings, and they will be looking to use these statistics to their advantage as they take on Alanyaspor in this upcoming match. However, despite their excellent home record, Göztepe has struggled to secure victories against Alanyaspor in recent seasons. Their last win over Alanyaspor was in 2020, when they triumphed 1-0 against the visitors at the Aksel Stadium. Since then, Alanyaspor has enjoyed an unbeaten run against Göztepe, and the hosts will need to break this trend if they want to secure all three points this time around.

Alanyaspor, on the other hand, will come into the match with confidence following their dramatic 5-4 win against İstanbul Başakşehir. That victory was a testament to their attacking prowess, as they managed to score five goals in a match that saw numerous twists and turns. The game at Alanya Oba Stadium was full of action right from the start. The home side took the lead in the 13th minute through Sergio Córdova, but Alanyaspor’s Yusuf Özdemir quickly equalized 10 minutes later in the 23rd minute. The game remained level for just a short period before Başakşehir’s Deniz Türüç put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute. However, Alanyaspor responded quickly once more, with Krzysztof Piątek scoring to make it 2-2 by the 29th minute. The match continued in the second half, and it looked like Başakşehir had gained the upper hand when Miguel Crespo scored in the 57th minute to make it 3-2. But Alanyaspor mounted an incredible comeback late in the match. Richard equalized in the 80th minute, Loide Augusto put them ahead two minutes later, and Florent Hadergjonaj sealed the win with a 91st-minute goal. Despite Piątek’s brace in the final minutes, Alanyaspor held on to claim a memorable victory. This thrilling win gave Alanyaspor their fifth victory in their last six matches, and it extended their unbeaten streak against Göztepe to four games.

Alanyaspor’s coach, Sami Uğurlu, will be hoping to build on this momentum, especially as the team looks to extend their strong record in the Turkish Super Lig. Under Uğurlu, Alanyaspor has been a force to reckon with, particularly at home, where they have won all four of their matches since Uğurlu took charge in November. However, their form on the road has been far less impressive, as they have managed only three draws and two losses in their five away games under Uğurlu. Their poor away form will be a major concern as they travel to face Göztepe, and the team will need to improve their results on the road if they are to avoid falling further down the table. The team has been inconsistent on their travels, and a good performance against Göztepe could help them start a strong run of form away from home.

Despite Göztepe’s strong home form and Alanyaspor’s recent success, the match will be a closely contested affair. Göztepe will be determined to put their loss to Fenerbahçe behind them and get back to winning ways. With their excellent home record, they will feel confident heading into the match, but they will also be mindful of the threat posed by Alanyaspor, who are on a high after their thrilling win. For Göztepe, securing three points would be crucial to keeping their hopes of European qualification alive, while Alanyaspor will be aiming to extend their unbeaten streak against Göztepe and build on their recent victory.

The game promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with a lot to play for. Göztepe will look to maintain their strong home form and bounce back from their recent defeat, while Alanyaspor will seek to continue their impressive performances, especially after their dramatic win. Both teams have shown glimpses of quality throughout the season, and this match could be pivotal in shaping their respective campaigns. As Göztepe looks to stay in the hunt for a European spot, Alanyaspor will hope to pull off another surprise result and climb further up the table.

For Göztepe, the importance of this match cannot be overstated. With just a few points separating them from the top four, every game is vital in their push for a European place. A win would put them right back in contention for a spot in European competition, while a loss could see them fall further down the standings and potentially out of the race altogether. Stanimir Stoilov and his players know they must make the most of their home advantage if they are to achieve their goals this season. 

Meanwhile, for Alanyaspor, a win would be a significant step toward securing their position in the mid-table and potentially pushing for a higher finish. Although they are currently in 11th place, they are only a few points away from a top-half finish, and a victory against Göztepe would give them the confidence to continue their rise up the standings. Uğurlu will be keen to address his team's struggles on the road and deliver a solid performance to secure all three points, which would provide a boost to their confidence and their league position. 

As the match approaches, both teams will know the stakes are high. Göztepe will be determined to bounce back from their recent setback and reclaim their place in the top four, while Alanyaspor will aim to extend their unbeaten streak against Göztepe and prove their ability to secure strong results on the road. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the direction of both teams' seasons, and the excitement surrounding this fixture is sure to grow as the weekend draws nearer. The atmosphere at Gürsel Aksel Stadium is sure to be charged with anticipation as Göztepe and Alanyaspor battle for crucial points in the Turkish Super Lig.