Trabzonspor are set to host Kayserispor at Papara Park on Thursday in each side's fourth game of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season.
The home side are currently 13th with three points having drawn all three of their league games so far, while the visitors are third last in 17th place with two points and have drawn two times and lost once this term.
Match preview
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Trabzonspor manager Senol Gunes has only been in charge for his side's last two games, with the club having appointed him after the departure of Abdullah Avci in March.
The hosts did well to earn a point last time out when they drew 1-1 against Besiktas on September 15 considering they were forced to play with 10 men after just 13 minutes.
Trabzonspor drew both of their previous two league games 0-0, sharing the points with Eyupspor on September 1 and with Sivasspor on August 11.
Black Sea Storm began the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season with one win and two losses, but while Gunes has not improved his team's points tally compared to the same stage last term, he has at least improved their defensive record given they conceded five goals in their first three matches of 2023-24.
Trabzonspor come into the clash in poor form having drawn five and lost two of their last seven competitive fixtures this term, and they also lost on penalties against St Gallen on August 29 in the final qualifying round of the Conference League.
Black Sea Storm have drawn their last two games at Papara Park, but prior to these matches they won five of their previous six fixtures at home.
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Opponents Kayserispor drew their most recent game 2-2 against Eyupspor on September 15, a match in which they were trailing 2-0 after 36 minutes before goals from Arif Kocaman in the 64th minute and Duckens Nazon in the 69th minute levelled the scoreline.
The visitors drew 0-0 with Konyaspor on August 31 but lost 2-1 against Sivasspor on August 17 despite taking the lead in 14th minute and having a player advantage after Sivasspor were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute.
Burak Yilmaz, who has been in charge since January, has a record of three wins, nine draws and seven defeats,
Yilmaz will be concerned that his side have won just once in their last 14 competitive matches, drawing six times and losing on seven occasions.
Kayserispor have won twice in their last 13 away fixtures and have drawn three and lost eight games in that period.
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Team News
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The hosts will be without Edin Visca, who was sent off against Besiktas, and he may be replaced in the starting lineup by Poyraz Efe Yildirim.
Enis Destan is also set to miss out for Trabzonspor, while Simon Banza, Cihan Canak and Anthony Nwakaeme are all doubts.
Meanwhile, the visitors may be unable to call upon Ramazan Civelek, Aylton Boa Morte and Mehdi Bourabia, who were all substituted before half time against Eyupspor.
Kayserispor could name centre-backs Julian Jeanvier and Arif Kocaman in front of goalkeeper Bilal Bayazit.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakır; Malheiro, Savic, Denswil, Elmali; Mendy, Yokuslu; Yildirim, Bardhi, Orsic; Cham-Saracevic
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Bayazit; Sazdagi, Jeanvier, Kocaman, Carole; Karimi, Yılmaz; Nazon, Ozbek, Kaldirim; Cardoso
We say: Trabzonspor 1-0 Kayserispor
Trabzonspor have been strong defensively this season, and it would not be surprising if Thursday's clash against Kayserispor was relatively uneventful.
Given the visitors' poor away record, it is difficult to see them leaving Papara Park with any points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
