Two sides with varying ambitions will clash on Saturday evening in the Turkish Super Lig when Trabzonspor welcome Fatih Karagumruk to Papara Park.
The hosts are looking to strengthen their hold on third place while the visitors are hoping for a win that will boost their survival hopes.
Match preview
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Trabzonspor's European ambitions hit a bump last time out, as they lost 3-1 to Alanyaspor at the Bahcesehir Okullari Arena.
The Black Sea Storm were already three-nil down by the 73rd minute before former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe found the net in stoppage time, but it only served as a consolation.
Despite the defeat, Abdullah Avci's side remain in the Europa League spot due to a superior goal difference over Besiktas, who also lost their last league game.
Back at home on Saturday, Trabzonspor will look to quickly get back on track with a win against a Karagumruk side they have beaten eight times in 12 encounters, while losing just once and drawing three.
The Black Sea Storm have never lost a home game against Saturday's opposition, recording four victories and a draw in five meetings between both sides at Papara Park.
Victory for Avci's side this weekend will see them win three consecutive home games in the league for just the second time in this campaign.
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Like the hosts, Karagumruk also head into this fixture on the back of a defeat after failing to find a response to Mario Balotelli's first-half spot kick, losing 1-0 to Adana Demirspor.
This result leaves the Black Reds firmly in the relegation mix as they are just ahead of the first team in the bottom four due to a superior goal difference.
Since gaining promotion in 2019-20, this is the first time Karagumruk have been in danger of going down, having never finished below eighth in any of the three seasons they have been in the top-flight prior to the current one.
Former Hull City manager Shota Arveladze, will hope he can push his team all the way, as they are also in the semi-final of theTurkish Cup after a famous quarter-final victory over Galatasaray.
The Georgian legend has recorded six wins and four draws from his first 16 matches in charge of the Black Reds.
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Team News
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Trabzonspor will remain without Mislav Orsic, who is out with an ACL injury that has likely ended his season.
Leading scorer Paul Onuachu is also out with a broken foot, leaving Enis Destan to start in attack once again.
Pepe could also be involved from the start this time after coming off the bench to find the net last time out.
For the visitors, Federico Ceccherini suspended after receiving a red card in the loss to Adana, joining Ryan Mendes who was also sent off during the first half of the draw with Alanyaspor.
Valentin Eysseric and Salih Dursun will also miss this clash, as they are both obliged to serve a one-match suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.
Frederic Veseli is expected to replace Dursun in defence, while Marcus Rohden could come into midfield in the absence of Eysseric.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Meunier, Baniya, Denswil, Elmali; Mendy, Ozdemir, Bardhi; Visca, Destan, Trezeguet
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Sirigu; Sangare, Biraschi, Veseli, Mercan; Rohden, Kourbelis; Mor, Feghouli, Keles; Yalcin
We say: Trabzonspor 1-0 Fatih Karagumruk
Trabzonspor were uncharacteristically out of their depth last time out but we expect them to bounce back in front of their home fans this weekend. However, this will by no means be a walk in the park for the hosts, as they are coming up against a Karagumruk side who are fighting for their top-flight status and have looked solid in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
