Two teams who enjoyed a blissful midweek will face off on Sunday in round 17 of the Turkish Super Lig as Goztepe SK play host to Caykur Rizespor at Gursel Aksel Stadium.
Goz barely broke a sweat on their trip to Bucaspor on Thursday in the Turkish Cup, dominating the third division side in a 4-0 rout to advance to the next phase, while the Black Sea Sparrowhawk thrashed Vanspor 6-0 on Tuesday to reach the next round of the same competition.
Match preview
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Thursday's cup triumph is the latest highlight of what has been an impressive 2024-25 campaign for Goztepe, who have also enjoyed a remarkable league run since returning to the top flight this season.
The newly promoted side currently sit fifth in the Super Lig table with 25 points after 15 games and are just one point from European places with a game in hand on fourth-placed Eyupspor.
After starting their league campaign with three consecutive draws, Stanimir Stoilov's side secured their maiden win in the competition with a 2-0 triumph over Bodrumspor - the first of seven in 11 games.
Last weekend, Goztepe recorded their first stalemate in the league in almost four months - a 1-1 away draw against Hatayspor - in which Romulo Cardoso's 12th-minute penalty goal was cancelled out by Vincent Aboubakar's strike in the 52nd minute.
Goztepe's impressive league run has been driven by their strong home form, with six wins and a draw in seven games in front of their own fans, making them the team with the second-best home record this season, only behind league leaders Galatasaray.
However, their incredible form on their own patch will be tested against a side they have failed to beat in their last two encounters on home turf, including a 3-3 draw in the second division and a 7-1 humiliation in their last top-flight clash.
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Meanwhile, Rizespor find themselves 10th in the league standings after failing to record a win in either of their last two top-flight outings, following a 1-0 loss to Gaziantep with a 1-1 stalemate against Konyaspor last Saturday.
Ilhan Palut's side have not gone two games without a league win since their turbulent spell that spanned from late August to late September, which saw them lose five games in a row - a streak they turned around by picking up five wins from their next six matches between October 4 and December 1.
Seeking another positive run of results in the league, the visitors could draw inspiration from their emphatic cup triumph on Tuesday ahead of this weekend's clash.
However, with their goal-shy attack on the road, which has managed just six goals in seven away league games this season, facing a defensively solid host that has conceded only six goals in seven Super Lig games at the Aksel could prove daunting.
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Team News
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Twenty-two-year-old attacker Juan (thigh), defender Taha Altıkardes (hamstring) and 27-year-old midfielder David Tijanic (muscle) are the latest additions to Goztepe's injury list, with all three players sidelined until early January.
Kubilay Kanatsizkus is still nursing an ankle injury that makes him doubtful, while Isaac Solet is ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana remains unavailable for Sunday's game, with a thigh injury expected to keep him out until January.
As for the visitors, Martin Minchev is the only absentee this weekend, with the 23-year-old forward ruled out with an ankle injury until mid-January.
Ali Sowe, the team's leading scorer with six goals, is expected to return to the starting XI this weekend after starting from the bench on Tuesday, while Dal Varesanovic, who bagged a brace in the same match, is likely to provide support behind the Gambian striker.
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Bokele, Heliton, Gunter; Silva, Sangare, Dennis, Miroshi; Hugo; Matsuki, Romulo
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Alikulov, Pala; Papanikolaou, Hadziahmetovic; Ghezzal, Olawoyin, Babajide; Sowe
We say: Goztepe SK 2-0 Caykur Rizespor
Despite failing to secure a win in their last two home meetings with the visitors, Goztepe's strong form at the Aksel this season cannot be overlooked.
Goz have won their last six games at home, making victory for the hosts this weekend a realistic outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
