Matchday one in the Turkish Super Lig will see Adana Demirspor welcome newly promoted side Caykur Rizespor to Yeni Adana Stayumu for an opening weekend clash on Sunday evening.
The hosts had a solid season last term, finishing fourth in the league, while the visitors secured promotion to the top flight by coming second to Samsunspor in the fiercely contested TFF 1. League.
Match preview
Adana Demirspor's incredible resurgence continued last season as they broke into the top-four places for the first time and managed 14 more points than they did the previous season when they finished in ninth place.
Their achievements over the last 24 months look all the more impressive when taking into account that the side were only promoted to the Super Lig in the 2021-22 season, meaning this will be just their third term in the top flight.
Patrick Kluivert's side posted 69 points last season with a record of 20 wins, nine draws, and seven losses, scoring 76 goals in their 36 league matches while only conceding 45 in that time, which was only three more than second-placed Fenerbahce let in.
The hosts have not just been performing well domestically, though, as they overcame CFR Cluj 3-2 on aggregate in their Conference League first qualifying round and currently hold a massive 5-1 lead over Osijek, who they beat in their first-leg encounter in midweek.
Having won 12 of their 18 home matches in the league last term and losing only two, which was also the fourth-best record of any side, the hosts will be firmly expected to get their league campaign off to a winning start in this one.
While Rizespor are no strangers to the Super Lig, they will be hoping that their most recent promotion to the top flight can be maintained for a longer time, having been sent back down on six occasions in the past.
They came second in the TFF 1. League last season, with 68 points in their 36 matches, while recording 18 wins, 14 draws, and four losses in that time, despite only managing the third-best goals tally.
In their last Super Lig campaign back in 2021-22, Rizepor finished fourth bottom and managed only 36 points in the season, leaving them a full nine points behind Giresunspor and safety.
The visitors ended last season with consecutive draws against Goztepe and Altinordu and failed to win any of their four pre-season matches, drawing another two while losing to Samsunspor and Alanyaspor.
Rizespor are currently the second-favourite to be relegated this season according to the early bookmaker odds, and while they will likely struggle to win this match, Ilhan Palut will be hoping for a good performance from his side, which will give them something to build on for a home favourable fixture against Alanyaspor next week.
Team News
Kluivert will have just one injury absentee to deal with for this match, with new signing Henry Onyekuru, who arrived from Olympiacos, expected to be out for the next few weeks with a muscle injury.
Cherif Ndiaye bagged two goals against Osijek in midweek, which should see him continue in the forward position, while Jonas Svensson impressed in pre-season and will form part of the five-man midfield.
Former Manchester United winger Nani also joined the side from Melbourne in the transfer window and will be hoping to make his league debut in this one.
Meanwhile, Rizespor have had a number of departures in the pre-season, with the likes of Burak Albayrak and Yannick Bolasie moving on to greener pastures.
Benhur Keser and John Mary will likely make up the attacking partnership this season in front of Azubuike Okechukwu and Alberk Koc in the engine room.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Rodrigues; Stambouli, Akbaba, Karacic, Sari; Svensson, Belhanda, Guler, Akintola, Gravillon; Ndiaye
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Cetin; Ay, Ceylan, Osmanoglu, Topcu; Koc, Okechukwu, Pala; Olawoyin, Mary, Keser
We say: Adana Demirspor 2-0 Caykur Rizespor
Based on their pre-season form, the visitors are likely to struggle up front this season, having only scored one goal in their last five matches in all competitions. The hosts, meanwhile, are looking very sharp and have strengthened their squad over the summer, which could help them challenge the top four this season. We fancy a straightforward home win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
