Caykur Rizespor will be hoping to quickly recover from their last Turkish Super Lig defeat when they take on Trabzonspor at Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Saturday.
The visitors, on the other hand, will also be hoping to end a two-match losing streak when they take to the pitch in search of their first away win of the season.
Match preview
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Rizespor were unable to extend their unbeaten run to three matches, as they lost 2-1 against Sivasspor at the Yeni Sivas 4 Eylul Stadyumu last Saturday.
The Black Sea Sparrowhawk took the lead in the eighth minute courtesy of Dal Varesanovic and held onto it until halftime - however, the second half was a different story, as Ilhan Palut's side conceded two goals and were unable to find a second despite the opponents playing with ten men for the final 18 minutes of the game.
The defeat was a setback for Rizespor, causing them to drop back into the relegation zone (16th) with 10 points, though they are only behind 15th-placed Alanyaspor due to an inferior goal difference.
Next up for the club based in Rize is a home game against Trabzonspor, an opponent they have dominated in recent years, having won the last three encounters.
The good record against Saturday's opposition, and the fact that Palut's men ended a six-match winless home run in their most recent game on home soil, will give them confidence heading into this clash.
![Edin Visca of Fatih Karagumruk during the Turkish Cup Semi Final match between Fatih Karagumruk and Trabzonspor at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on May 8, 2024 [on July 23, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/edin-visca.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Edin Visca of Fatih Karagumruk during the Turkish Cup Semi Final match between Fatih Karagumruk and Trabzonspor at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on May 8, 2024 [on July 23, 2024]")
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Meanwhile, Trabzonspor will hope to reassert their dominance in this fixture, having won 28 of the 45 meetings against Rizespor, while losing only eight times.
However, the Black Sea Storm are heading into this clash on a poor run of form, having lost their last two matches, the most recent of which was a dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to fierce rivals Fenerbahce.
In what was a tense clash given the history between both sides, the game was tied at 2-2 heading into stoppage time, until former Manchester United loan player Sofyan Amrabat stepped up to win the game for Fenerbahce 12 minutes into stoppage time.
Senol Gunes's men have 12 points and have dropped to 11th place, eight points off the top four after playing 10 Super Lig matches.
Trabzonspor are yet to win on the road in this campaign, drawing the opening four before losing their most recent away match to Goztepe, and this does not bode well given that the Black Sea Storm have not won away at Rizespor since 2019.
Team News
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Rizespor could still be without Benhur Kese, who is recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him out for the last couple of weeks.
Casper Hojer Nielsen is confirmed to miss the game with a muscle injury that is expected to keep him out for the next couple of weeks.
Trabzonspor will remain without Serkan Asan, who is out with a virus and not expected back in action until the next couple of weeks.
Stefan Savic is doubtful, with the 33-year-old former Atletico Madrid defender looking to recover in time from a hamstring issue.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Pehlivan; Papanikolaou, Hadziahmetovic; Olawoyin, Varesanovic, Ghezzal; Sowe
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Malheiro, Mendy, Denswil, Elmali; Yokuslu, Lundstram; Visca, Tuafn, Nwakaeme; Banza
We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-1 Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor have often lacked quality this season, particularly in their away games, but we believe they have enough to earn a draw away at Rizespor, who have also struggled for consistency.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
