Two sides with contrasting objectives clash in the Turkish Super Lig when Samsunspor host Trabzonspor at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadyumu on Saturday evening.
The home side are winless in their last five league matches, while the visitors head into this fixture on the back of consecutive victories.
Match preview
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Samsunspor were unable to find an equaliser after conceding early against Kasimpasa, falling 1-0 at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu last Saturday.
Markus Gisdol's men have accumulated 39 points from 34 matches so far. The Red Lightning sit 13th in the standings, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Samsunspor return home on Saturday to face Trabzonspor. They have been strong at home this campaign, picking up the fifth-most points on home soil, contributing to 31 of their total points.
However, their last competitive win against the visitors came all the way back in 2005. Since then, they have faced Trabzonspor in five competitive fixtures without a win, losing four and drawing once.
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Trabzonspor secured two wins in a row after a dramatic comeback victory over Gaziantep at Papara Park last Sunday.
The Black Sea Storm were two goals down at half-time, but Paul Onuachu's second-half hat-trick and Enis Bardhi's goal ensured a turnaround to claim all three points.
Abdullah Avci's side solidified their third-place position with 58 points after 34 matches, extending their lead over fourth-placed İstanbul Basaksehir to six points.
The visitors have won their last two away matches and will hope to secure a third consecutive victory to further strengthen their chances of clinching the Europa League spot, as they have the second leg of their Turkish Cup semi-final against Fatih Karagumruk coming up in a few days.
Team News
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Twenty-eight-year-old Lubomir Satka is Samsunspor's only guaranteed absentee for this one as he prepares to sit out a fifth straight game due to a damaged ankle.
Marius Mouandilmadji is expected to lead the line yet again, with Taylan Antalyali providing support for the striker.
The visitors will be without Huseyin Turkmen who is also sidelined with a muscle injury, while every other player is available.
Onuachu made his first start since coming back from injury and his hat-trick showed what the team have been missing in his absence.
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Gonul, Van Drongelen, Ozturk, Yavru; Ait Bennasser, Antalyali; Kilinc, Ntcham, Holse; Maruis
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Meunier, Mendy, Denswil, Bosluk; Pepe, Ozdemir; Bardhi; Visca, Onuachu, Fountas
We say: Samsunspor 1-2 Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor seem to have rediscovered their groove and Onuachu's return has bolstered their attack. Though Samsunspor are strong at home, the visitors are also solid on the road. We expect a slim victory for the away side in this one due to their attack.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
