Two teams at opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig will meet on Friday as fourth-placed Trabzonspor host Konyaspor, who currently sit just above the relegation zone.
Only goal difference is keeping the visitors above water right now, placing plenty of pressure on each fixture, while the hosts could break into the top three with a victory.
Match preview
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Trabzonspor have made a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, having won six of their 11 matches so far, which has left them in fourth place heading into this weekend.
Sitting just two points behind Adana Demirspor, the club finds itself moving up with three points on Friday, and after three consecutive games without a loss, there should be no shortage of confidence in the squad.
Trabzonspor were involved in a five-goal thriller during their previous outing against second-placed Fenerbache, and while they won 3-2 it was a second-half performance to forget.
Goals from Paul Onuachu, Berat Ozdemir and Nicolas Pepe provided a three-goal lead at one stage, but a lapse in confidence did allow their opponents back into the game, which they will be careful not to repeat this weekend.
Abdullah Avci's men have been stronger at home this season, losing only once to this point, and that in itself should help to provide more belief for this game.
On the other hand, the visitors have only won a single match on the road, managing just four goals across those five away fixtures to this point.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Konyaspor having only managed to pick up two wins across the entire season, and that has left the club sitting just above the relegation zone.
Only goal difference is keeping Hakan Keles' team outside the bottom four, but his team has proven they are willing to fight until the very end to try and take points.
That was clear last weekend when Konyaspor rescued a draw against Fatih Karagumruk, with Sokol Cikalleshi scoring a 97th-minute penalty to secure the result.
This marks the second match in a row where the team has taken a positive result after a 3-0 win against Erbaa in the Turkish Cup, and that build of confidence could be crucial in turning the season around.
Team News
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Onuachu was able to get on the scoresheet last weekend after returning from injury, and he should retain his place in the team because of that.
That is helpful for Trabzonspor considering the fact that the team's top goalscorer Anastasios Bakasetas is currently on the sidelines.
Cikalleshi has been putting together a strong individual season, despite the struggles that his team is going through, and after scoring his fourth goal of the campaign last weekend he should lead the line once again for the visitors.
However, Konyaspor are set to once again be without Muhammet Demir, who has been out of action since April due to a knee problem.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Aydin, Baniya, Denswil, Elmali; Mendy, Ozdemir, Visca, Omur, Fountas; Onuachu
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Guilherme, Calvo, Demirbag, Oguz; Dikmen, N'Zonzi; Prip, Cicaldau, Moreno; Cikalleshi
We say: Trabzonspor 3-0 Konyaspor
Konyaspor head into this match on the back of consecutive games without a defeat, which could provide a much-needed boost of confidence to the group for this match.
However, it is Trabzonspor that people will expect to take all three points here due to the strong season they are enjoying so far.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
