Antalyaspor v Samsunspor: top-half push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Antalyaspor host Samsunspor in the Süper Lig on Friday in Antalya, with the hosts seeking breathing space from the relegation battle and the visitors looking to strengthen a top-half bid.

Antalyaspor edged the reverse meeting 2-1 away in September and come in with one win from their past four league games, having lost at Fatih Karagümrük last weekend. Samsunspor were unbeaten in three league matches before a 3-0 home defeat by Trabzonspor.

Sami Uğurlu is without Abdulkadir Ömur (injured) and right-back Bünyamin Balcı (suspended). Thomas Reis misses suspended midfielder Antoine Makoumbou, while Emre Kılınç, Tanguy Coulibaly and Afonso Sousa are among several Samsunspor injuries.

Season trends point to contrasting styles. Antalyaspor have scored 19 goals and conceded 34 across 21 matches, averaging 44% possession and finding five headed goals from open play, so wide delivery could be a route. Samsunspor have a balanced 24 scored and 24 conceded, see more of the ball at 51% with 82.29% passing accuracy, and may look to control midfield. Carlo Holse, on five league goals, remains a key outlet.

In the table picture, Antalyaspor are 14th on 20 points and a win would move them to 23, which could ease relegation worries. Samsunspor sit 7th on 30 points and victory would take them to 33, keeping them firmly in the top half and nudging the European conversation.