Two sides hoping to end winless streaks will go head-to-head when Trabzonspor welcome Caykur Rizespor to Papara Park on Sunday.
The hosts are without a win in their last two Turkish Super Lig outings, while the visitors are looking to halt a three-game winless run.
Match preview
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Trabzonspor began life under Fatih Tekke with a commanding 3-0 away victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, but a 1-1 draw at home to Goztepe and a humbling 4-1 defeat to fierce rivals Fenerbahce last weekend have somewhat dampened the early optimism.
The Black Sea Storm had the chance to make a statement against one of the title contenders, and things initially looked promising when Denis Dragus gave them the lead just before half-time, but a second-half collapse saw them ship four goals in a disappointing capitulation.
While there is still silverware to play for, having edged past Bodrumspor 3-2 after extra time in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals, Trabzonspor’s league form remains unconvincing, and they currently sit just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Much of their climb towards mid-table was built on solid home form, but even that has begun to waver, with a defeat to Hatayspor and a draw against Goztepe in their last two home fixtures at Papara Park.
Nevertheless, Trabzonspor have traditionally dominated this fixture on home turf, winning 19 of their 23 home meetings with Rizespor, including a resounding 5-2 triumph in the Turkish Cup earlier this season.
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Rizespor, however, claimed a 3-1 win in the reverse league fixture and now have the chance to complete the double over their Black Sea rivals for a second consecutive season.
But Ilhan Palut‘s side come into this encounter having failed to win any of their last three league games, recording two defeats and a draw.
Following disappointing losses to Antalyaspor and Bodrumspor, the Black Sea Sparrowhawks looked to be on course for victory against Sivasspor last time out, taking the lead from the spot in the 70th minute, but they conceded a late equaliser just six minutes from time.
Rizespor have now won only four of their last 12 league matches and have suffered five defeats in their previous eight, a dip in form that has left them precariously positioned, just three points above the drop zone.
With performances lacking spark and consistency, Rizespor are in real danger of bringing their two-year stay in the top flight to an end.
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Team News
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Trabzonspor will be without the injured trio of Onuralp Cevikkan, Huseyin Turkmen and Ahmet Yildirim.
John Lundstram is suspended after collecting his fourth yellow card of the campaign during the defeat to Fenerbahce.
As for Rizespor, Giannis Papanikolaou has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Rachid Ghezzal and Abdulkadir Omur are also unavailable due to injury concerns, but there is some good news for the visitors as Samet Akaydin and Ibrahim Olawoyin return to the squad after serving their respective suspensions.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Savic, Batahov, Saatci; Malheiro, Lundstram, Mendy, Tufan, Eskihellac; Zubkov, Banza, Dragus
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Cetin; Akaydin, Mocsi, Hojer; Sahin, Ozcan, Varesanovic, Olawoyin, Zeqiri; Sowe, Jurecka
We say: Trabzonspor 2-0 Caykur Rizespor
Trabzonspor have shown flashes of quality under Tekke, although the team is clearly still adjusting to his system, but going up against a Rizespor side lacking inspiration and momentum hands the hosts and opportunity to take all three points, as they have enough in their locker to do so in front of the home crowd.
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