Samsunspor are looking to maintain their fine start to the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season when they take on Goztepe SK at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.
Meanwhile, the visitors, who are unbeaten in the league this season, have picked up consecutive wins coming into this clash.
Match preview
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Despite starting their season with a loss, Samsunspor have rebounded impressively to win four of their opening six matches, placing them fourth in the standings with 12 points.
The Red Lightning enter this fixture on the back of consecutive victories, the most recent of which was a 1-0 triumph away at Caykur Rizespor last Sunday.
Thomas Reis's men boast the joint-best defensive record in the league, having conceded just three goals alongside Saturday's opponents. However, their seven goals scored make them the lowest-scoring team among the top seven, an issue Reis will aim to address as the season progresses.
Next in line for Samsunspor is a first top-flight encounter against Goztepe since 2003, but the Red Lightning will be cautious of complacency against their newly-promoted rivals, as both of their defeats this season have occurred on home turf.
Nevertheless, Reis's side secured a 2-0 win at home against Istanbul Basaksehir in their most recent home match and could potentially win consecutive home games for the first time since March.
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Goztepe extended their unbeaten start to life in the top flight with a 3-0 victory over Kayserispor at the Gursel Aksel Stadium last Monday.
After drawing their opening three matches, Stanimir Stoilov's side have now won two matches in a row while scoring five goals and conceding none.
This result helped Goztepe climb to sixth place with nine points heading into Saturday's clash against a side they defeated in their last encounter, which was in the second division in 2023.
The visitors are also approaching this game on a five-match unbeaten run on the road, a run that dates back to the previous season in the second division.
Team News
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Samsunspor could have the same squad as they used in their victory over Rizespor, provided Emre Kilinic recovers from a jaw injury that currently makes his participation uncertain.
Marius Mouandilmadji, who has netted two goals in five league appearances, is expected to lead the line once again, while Olivier Ntcham, who also has the same number of goals, will be hoping to score in consecutive matches.
Goztepe will be without Lasse Nielsen, who is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until next month.
Romulo Cardoso, who has scored two goals for the visitors, is anticipated to play in an attacking two alongside Juan.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Drongelen, Bola; Yuksel, Bennasser; Holse, Ntcham, Muja; Mouandilmadji
Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Lis; Altikardes, Heliton, Bokele; Bayrak, Dennis, Solet, Silva; Tijanic; Cardoso, Juan
We say: Samsunspor 1-1 Goztepe SK
Samsunspor and Goztepe have both enjoyed solid starts to the season, and given the strength of both teams' defenses, we believe they will likely cancel each other out on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
