Trabzonspor could win the Super Lig title this weekend if they manage to pick up three points from their meeting with Fatih Karagumruk and other results go their way.
Although the hosts are winless in their last three matches, while Fatih Karagumruk are aiming to clinch back-to-back victories.
Match preview
© Reuters
Trabzonspor enjoy a 13-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce with just 18 points left to play for in the Super Lig this season.
Despite closing in on the league title, the table-toppers have struggled for victories in recent weeks, with their last three matches yielding just two points.
After losing to Caykur Rizespor, Abdullah Avci's side picked up a point against Besiktas before playing out a goalless draw with Gaziantep last weekend.
The hosts will now turn their attention to Friday's home encounter against Fatih Karagumruk, and a win could see them end the weekend as champions if other results go their way.
Avci's charges will also be hoping to finish the season unbeaten at home, with their 16 home league games this season resulting in 11 victories and five draws.
The visitors, meanwhile, are hoping that they can spoil Trabzonspor's chances of winning the league title this weekend, as they bid to claim consecutive victories.
Fatih Karagumruk emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller in their last outing, as Volkan Demirel's side edged out Kasimpasa in a thrilling contest.
At half time, it seemed as though Fatih Karagumruk would enjoy a comfortable afternoon after racing into a two-goal lead thanks to efforts from Adnan Ugur and Aleksandar Pesic.
Tarkan Serbest pulled a goal back in the 67th minute before Kristijan Bistrovic restored the two-goal cushion, and although Jackson Muleka grabbed another goal for Kasimapasa in the final 10 minutes, Demirel's charges held firm to clinch a 3-2 victory.
Hopes of another win on Friday may be slim though, as the visitors have won just one of their last seven away league matches.
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Anders Trondsen is the only known injury absentee for the hosts with a hamstring problem sidelining the 27-year-old.
Anastasios Bakasetas, Djaniny, and Manolis Siopis will all return to the matchday squad after missing the goalless draw against Gaziantep through suspension.
After making his first start last weekend since returning from injury, Marek Hamsik is expected to keep his place in the Trabzonspor midfield.
As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Kerim Frei and Rayyan Baniya due to injury issues.
Demirel will also be forced into a couple of changes in midfield, with Jimmy Durmaz and Ugur suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Meanwhile, Bistrovic and Levent Mercan could come into the side to replace the suspended duo.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Peres, Turkmen, Hugo, Denswil; Hamsik, Siopis; Visca, Omur, Nwakaeme; Djaniny
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Viviano; Biraschi, Bekaroglu, Luckassen, Balkovec; Mor, Bistrovic, Biglia, Mercan, Karamoh; Pesic
We say: Trabzonspor 2-1 Fatih Karagumruk
Trabzonspor are winless in their last three matches, but with 11 wins from their 16 home league games, we think that the league leaders will do enough to clinch all three points on Friday.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Trabzonspor win with a probability of 68.17%. A draw had a probability of 18.7% and a win for Fatih Karagumruk had a probability of 13.11%.
The most likely scoreline for a Trabzonspor win was 2-0 with a probability of 11.53%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (10.5%) and 2-1 (9.74%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (8.88%), while for a Fatih Karagumruk win it was 0-1 (4.04%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with an 8.9% likelihood.
