Ankaragücü vs Antalyaspor match preview!

It’s Monday night football in week 7 of the Turkish Super Lig for Ankaragücü as they host Antalyaspor looking to continue their good run and keep up the momentum in the top half of the table.

As Jim said in his match report from the Serik match, it was a disappointing performance from Ankaragücü against the lower league opposition but we need to take into account the amount of changes made to the team with all but Erdem Ozgenc from the first team rested.

Alessio Cerci showed flashes of what he can bring and there is no doubting his ability. If he wants to break into the starting line up however, then he will need to improve on his fitness and the defensive side of his game. Too often he made no attempt to get back and help the team while Serik were on the attack.

Despite the mounting financial issues at Antalyaspor who have lost all of their big signings including Samuel Eto’o, Samir Nasri and Sandro, they have actually had a good start to the season sitting one place below Ankaragücü in 8th and on the same points.

Former Leeds striker Souleymane Doukara has been a good signing for Antalyaspor and will be one of their key players in attack. The powerful Senegalese International has excellent technique and skill but sometimes his finishing and end product can let him down. He will likely be joined in attack by Turkish International Melvut Erdinc.

Ankaragücü will be without the suspended Bakary Kone through suspension but will have Thibault Moulin back from injury. Moestafa El Kabir will play against his former club and Ankaragücü will be  hoping that he can continue his excellent early season form with another good performance. Thievy Bifouma has all the attributes to be a key player for Ankaragücü but he has been a bit frustrating of late with his decision making in the final 3rd of the pitch, we need a big performance from him and he needs to be careful with his disciplinary.

Bruce Dja Djedje has come into the midfield and formed an excellent partnership with the brilliant Ricardo Faty, it will be interesting to see if Ismail goes with the 3 in the middle now that Moulin is back in contention.

The game will be played at the Yenikent Stadium and kick off time is 8pm, as usual for details on how you can watch the match with the Kanka Group please get in touch with Jim.