Preview: Caykur Rizespor vs Goztepe SK - prediction, team news, lineups

Caykur Rizespor will be aiming to make a perfect start to their 2025-26 Super Lig campaign when they welcome Goztepe SK to the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday afternoon.

While the hosts endured a winless pre-season, Stanimir Stoilov’s men arrive in Rize fresh from a promising summer that could signal a strong start to their league campaign.

Match preview

Rizespor finished ninth in the Super Lig last season, amassing 49 points from 38 games.

While their campaign showed moments of promise, they ended with more losses (17) than wins (15), highlighting an inconsistency that head coach Ilhan Palut will be eager to address in the new campaign.

Palut, now entering a new season with Rizespor, will face a familiar foe in Goztepe, a team he managed between 2019 and 2021.

The Black Sea side have had a shaky preparation for this season, failing to win any of their four friendlies - losing three and drawing one.

However, the results might not be cause for alarm just yet, given the nature of pre-season, and Rizespor will take confidence from their strong home form towards the end of last term.

They went unbeaten in their final five league games on home soil - winning four and drawing one - and suffered just two defeats in 12 home matches.

Both league meetings between these sides last season were dramatic, with Goztepe comfortably winning the first meeting 3-0, but Rizespor responded with a 6-3 victory in the reverse fixture.

In fact, the last ten competitive clashes between them have been closely contested, with each side boasting four wins, and two draws between them.

The Goz Goz, meanwhile, are entering their second consecutive season back in the Turkish top flight after earning promotion in 2023-24.

They finished eighth last season with 50 points, one point ahead of Rizespor; winning 13, drawing 11, and losing 12 of their games.

Their biggest defeat of the campaign came against Rizespor, so there is no doubt they will have that 6-3 loss in mind as they travel for this opener.

Under the guidance of Stoilov, Goztepe have enjoyed a strong pre-season, winning five of their six friendlies and scoring six in their most recent outing against Manisa FK.

Stoilov, now entering his third full season in charge, led Goztepe to promotion in his first campaign, secured an eighth-place finish in their return to the top flight last term, and will be aiming to push them even higher this season.

With renewed confidence and attacking momentum, they will be looking to make a statement on Sunday.

Caykur Rizespor friendly form:

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Goztepe SK friendly form:

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Team News

Rizespor have no injury concerns ahead of the game, which gives Palut full freedom to experiment with his new-look squad.

Summer signings such as Qazim Laci, Valentin Mihaila, Modibo Sagnan, and Furkan Orak will all be hoping to make their league debuts, while Halil Dervisoglu, on loan from Galatasaray, is expected to lead the line.

Goalkeeper Erdem Canpolat could make his competitive debut between the sticks, with Attila Mocsi and Samet Akaydin likely to anchor the defence.

For Goztepe, midfielder Ogun Bayrak is sidelined with a shoulder injury and has no clear return date.

In defence, Taha Altikardes is expected to line up alongside Helton and Malcom Bokele, while Ruan - a summer arrival from Atletico Clube Goianiense could feature in midfield alongside Anthony Dennis and new signing Efkan Bekiroglu.

In attack, Romulo Cardoso and Ibrahim Sabra are the likeliest pair to start up front.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Dogan; Sahin, Akaydin, Mocsi, Hojer; Olawoyin, Pala; Bulut, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Dervisoglu

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:

Lis; Altikardes, Bokele, Heliton; Malak, Dennis, Ildiz, Ruan; Juan; Romulo, Sabra

We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-2 Goztepe SK

Goztepe’s strong pre-season and more settled squad give them a slight edge heading into this one, but Rizespor’s solid home form can not be overlooked.

Difficult to beat on their own turf, the hosts will look to harness home support to start strongly - expect goals and a tight contest, but the visitors might just sneak it.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.