Caykur Rizespor will be looking to continue their incredible start to the Turkish Super Lig season when they take on Sivasspor at the City of Rize Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After being promoted from the second tier last season, the hosts are third in the league table, while the visitors have not made the best of starts, currently sitting in 14th place.
Match preview
Few would have predicted the start Caykur Rizespor have made to the campaign, having been promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history last season, but they have looked very impressive in their opening five games.
Although Rizespor lost 2-1 away at Adana Demirspor on the opening day of the season, they have since bounced back, and they are now on a four-game unbeaten streak, collecting 10 points during that period.
Ilhan Palut's side have won their last three games on the bounce, the first of which was very impressive, running out 3-2 winners away at 2021-22 champions Trabzonspor, and they have since gone on to prove that victory was not a fluke.
Caykur Rizespor secured their first-ever victory on home soil in the Turkish Super Lig at the beginning of September, running out 1-0 winners against Karagumruk, before making a phenomenal comeback in their last match.
Rizespor were trailing 1-0 away at Konyaspor until the 89th minute last weekend, but Gustavo Sauer equalised from the spot, before Adolfo Gaich struck in the 92nd minute to seal a shock three points, and extend his side's winning run to three games.
Sivasspor are a far more established Turkish Super Lig side, having won the 2022 edition of the Turkish Cup, but they have not looked as impressive as their upcoming opponents in the early stages of the campaign.
On the opening day of the season, the Braves were held to a 1-1 draw at home against newly-promoted Samsunspor, and they have since gone on to win just one of their last four games, which came in a 3-1 victory away at Gaziantep FK.
Servet Cetin's side are now on a two-game losing streak in the Turkish Super Lig, but in fairness the first of those matches was very difficult, travelling away to Besiktas, where they were on the receiving end of a 2-0 loss.
Sivasspor would have fancied their chances far more in their last match, at home against Ankaragucu, but the game changed when Clinton N'Jie was sent off in the second half, with the visitors going on to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory.
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Team News
Caykur Rizespor will be without Efe Tecimer on Saturday, as the forward is still out with a knee injury, but Palut otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
The manager may be tempted to make one change, however, as Gaich scored the winner after being brought on as a substitute in the last match, meaning he could get the nod over Benhur Keser in attack.
Sivasspor also have just one player missing due to injury, with centre-back Samba Camara unavailable, having been ruled out of the last three games, so Aaron Appindangoye is poised to keep his place in the starting lineup.
N'Jie is set to serve a one-match ban after being shown two yellow cards against Ankaragucu, meaning Modou Barrow could come into the side at left-wing.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Topcu, Pehlivan; Pala, Olawoyin, Sauer, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Gaich
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Vural; Paluli, Appindangoye, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Konak, Bassan, Charisis, Saiz, Barrow; Manaj
We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-0 Sivasspor
Caykur Rizespor have adapted to life in the Turkish Super Lig very well, winning their last three games on the bounce, while Sivasspor have looked unconvincing at the start of the campaign.
As such, we expect the hosts to extend their winning run to four games, but they are unlikely to run away with it, against an established Super Lig side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
