The Europa Conference League qualification race intensifies this weekend when Trabzonspor host Adana Demirspor at the Senol Gunes Spor Kompleksi on Sunday afternoon.
The home side come into this matchup in shaky form, having just suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against rock-bottom Umraniyespor, while the visitors were awarded a 3-0 victory against Hatayspor in their last fixture due to their opponents' withdrawal from the Turkish Super Lig.
Match preview
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After winning the title in their last campaign, a struggle to maintain those high standards has left Trabzonspor 19 points adrift of first-placed Galatasaray in sixth position in the Super Lig table.
Consequently, last season's hero Abdullah Avci was sacked after his side lost 2-1 to bottom-of-the-league Umraniyespor last time out, with Yusuf Yazici's 83rd-minute strike only being a late consolation in a damaging defeat for the 59-year-old.
The Karadeniz Firtinasi's dire recent form saw them dumped out of the Europa Conference League last month and they are coming into this fixture with back-to-back losses in the league.
However, with Avci's assistant Orhan Ak in charge for this match, it could be an opportunity to elevate the side's current performance levels and rediscover the defensive solidity that has seen them earn the most clean sheets in the league (11).
Ak's side will look to get revenge on their own turf on Sunday after losing the reverse fixture in the 94th minute, when Samet Akaydin secured all three points for Demirspor.
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Meanwhile, the away side have had a phenomenal campaign thus far, currently sitting fourth in the Turkish Super Lig with only three defeats to their name this season.
Vincenzo Montella's side were awarded a 3-0 victory over Hatayspor in their most recent fixture, as the opposition club were forced to withdraw from the league due to the recent earthquake disasters.
However, it has been the ability to keep games tight and not lose that has seen the Mavi Simsekler occupy their current league standing, as they have had nine draws so far this season.
It will be important for Montella's side to take advantage of the managerial situation that Trabzonspor currently face and put a further three-point distance between them and their top-three rivals.
Badou N'Diaye will once again be vital for his side in this match, as the midfielder's performances this season have been imperious, while also being the club's joint-top goalscorer in the league with six.
Team News
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Orhan Ak could make five changes to Abdullah Avci's final starting XI in charge against Umraniyespor.
Bruno Peres and Stefano Denswil are set to be dropped from the starting lineup, with Evren Eren Elmali and Vitor Hugo to replace them in the backline.
Marek Hamsik is anticipated to return to the side for the first time since January for Dogucan Haspolat in midfield.
Maximiliano Gomez is predicted to lead the line in place of Umut Bozok, with Yusuf Yazici to come into the side after scoring in his most recent appearance off the bench.
Trezeguet will be unavailable for selection in this game due to suffering an injury against Umraniyespor and is set to be replaced by Edin Visca.
Naci Unuvar will serve his suspension for a second yellow card offence in the last outing and will not be available for selection.
Vincenzo Montella is predicted to make two changes to the starting XI that he fielded in the draw against Umraniyespor the last time they played.
Yusuf Sari is expected to lose his place in the starting lineup, with Babajide David Akintola returning to the side on the right wing.
Henry Onyekuru will be sidelined by injury for this clash and will likely be replaced by Yusuf Erdogan on the left-hand side.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Larsen, Bartra, Hugo, Elmali; Hamsik, Siopis; Visca, Yazici, Omur; Gomez
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Svensson, Cetin, Guler, Rodrigues; Akintola, Stambouli, Ndiaye, Erdogan; Belhanda, Akbaba
We say: Trabzonspor 1-1 Adana Demirspor
We believe that the recent departure of Abdullah Avci will spark a reaction from the home side and that they will hold Demirspor to a draw, although it will be a low-scoring affair due to the strong defensive nature of both sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
