Trabzonspor host Ankaragucu at Papara Park on the final day of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season.
Ankaragucu's survival hopes hang in the balance as they travel without a win in their last five league matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Trabzonspor were left disappointed after losing 3-2 to Besiktas in the Turkish Cup final on Thursday night, ending their season trophyless.
Back in the league, the Black Sea Storm made it two wins on the bounce with a 1-0 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Saturday, with Paul Onuachu's first-half stoppage-time strike securing the win.
Abdullah Avci's side sit third in the table with 63 points after 37 matches, boasting a five-point lead over fourth-placed Basaksehir.
However, they will play their final home match behind closed doors due to a four-match spectator ban imposed after their supporters' pitch invasion and altercation with Fenerbahce players in March.
Trabzonspor have the upper hand in this fixture, having won their last two meetings with Ankaragucu and remaining unbeaten in their last nine home games against them. The last time they lost at home to MKE was in 2007.
© Reuters
Ankaragucu's winless run stretched to five games after a goalless draw with relegated Pendikspor last Saturday.
Emre Belozoglu's side are precariously placed on 40 points after 37 matches and only victory this weekend will leave them in control of their top-flight status. Defeat combined with a Hatayspor win spells relegation for Ankaragucu, while a draw could also see them drop down if Hatayspor win and Gaziantep avoid defeat.
Ankaragucu's away form is a major concern, with no wins in their last ten away games in the Super Lig and just two victories on the road all season. They have also not won away at Trabzonspor in 17 years, making this a daunting final-day encounter.
The visitors have failed to score in their last two meetings with the hosts, conceding three goals in the process. Belozoglu's team must produce a heroic performance to extend their top-flight stay for a sixth consecutive season.
Team News
© Reuters
Trabzonspor will remain without Huseyin Turkmen who is sidelined with a muscle injury and the date of his return is uncertain.
Egyptian forward Trezeguet is sidelined until the end of May with a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two matches.
Ankaragucu have relatively few injuries with only defender Alper Uludag absent due to a muscle injury that should keep him out until later this month.
Romanian midfielder Olimpiu Morutan is also absent because of a cruciate ligament injury that has ruled him out of action until early next year.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Meunier, Mendy, Denswil, Elmali; Ozdemir, Gunes; Bardhi, Visca, Fountas; Onuachu
Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:
Ozbir; Kitsiou, Mujakic, Radakovic, Karatas; Cigerci; Rodrigues, Pedrinho, Bekiroglu, Bassogog; Sowe
We say: Trabzonspor 2-1 Ankaragucu
Ankaragucu are desperate for a win here to remain in the top-flight for another season. However, their poor away record this season and against Trabzonspor leaves a lot of doubt in their ability to bag three points here. We think the hosts have too much quality for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Albania
Croatia
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Netherlands
Austria
France
Poland
Belgium
Romania
Slovakia
Ukraine
Czech Republic
Georgia
Portugal
Turkey
