Trabzonspor can stretch their unbeaten run at Medical Park Stadyumu to seven consecutive matches in all competitions when they host Monaco on Thursday, in the fourth game for each side at the 2022-23 Europa League group stage.
Last week, Les Monegasques took advantage of an early red card, defeating the reigning Turkish champions 3-1 in the Principality, moving three points clear of them for second place in Group H.
Match preview
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After benefitting from a man advantage versus Red Star Belgrade on matchday two of their Europa League campaign, the shoe was on the other foot for the Turks last week.
It was a senseless challenge in the 11th minute against Monaco, which went against them at Stade Louis II as Trabzonspor dropped their second road contest of this tournament.
They have conceded six goals in two group stage fixtures away from home but have looked much more compact in Trabzon, posting five clean sheets in their last seven home fixtures in all competitions, including a 0-0 draw domestically versus Kasimpasa on Monday.
Should they triumph on matchday four, it would be the first time that this team have won consecutive European fixtures at home since November 2014.
In their entire history against French opponents in Europe, Trabzonspor have just a single victory, plus one draw and one defeat in three home matches, most recently drawing Lille 1-1 at the 2011-12 Champions League.
Domestically, Abdullah Avci has seen his team already lose two of their nine encounters on their current campaign, which is one fewer than they suffered in their title-winning season in 2021-22.
Their last two victories domestically have come despite conceding the opening goal, scoring twice in the final 22 minutes to defeat Kayserispor 2-1 at the beginning of October and erasing a 2-0 deficit versus Gaziantep last month, winning 3-2.
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A 1-0 loss to Ferencvaros on matchday two of the Europa League seems to have lit a fire in this Monaco side, who have won four straight matches in all competitions since that disappointment.
Philippe Clement's men have been challenging to break down away from home, without a goal conceded in their last four road matches in all competitions, while being incredibly potent at Stade Louis II, winning both of their home contests this month by a combined score of 7-2.
Last month, their quality in the attacking third at times was non-existent as they scored a goal or fewer in three of their five fixtures, but they have come alive offensively since their Europa League defeat versus the Hungarians, notching 12 goals in their last four games.
Playing in Turkey has proven to be a struggle for this team, winning only one of their five matches played against sides from the Super Lig, with their lone away triumph coming at Galatasaray in the 1993-94 Champions League group stage (2-0).
Should they emerge victorious on Thursday, it would be the first time since February 2015 that Les Monegasques have captured consecutive away victories in major European competitions, having beaten Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in their opening Group H affair.
Monaco have not been consistent on the road in Europe, but so far in 2022-23 they are in fine form domestically away from home, winning four of their first five Ligue 1 fixtures as the visitors, the best start for them on the road since the 1991-92 campaign.
Team News
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Ugurcan Cakir only had to make one stop on Monday for Trabzonspor when they drew 0-0 at home to Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig, and he has started the last six matches for them after Muhammet Taha Tepe was between the sticks in their 3-2 defeat at Ferencvaros on Matchday One at the Europa League.
Anastasios Bakasetas had their only strike versus Les Monegasques last week, while Maxi Gomez has been directly involved in 40% of their goals so far in this season's competition (2/5), but will not be available for this game after being sent off in the 11th minute last Thursday, the fastest red card by a striker since this tournament was renamed the Europa League in 2009-10.
Serkan Asan and Dorukhan Tokoz are doubtful because of meniscus injuries, while Edin Visca is unlikely to feature due to a sore arm.
Wissam Ben Yedder has six goals in his last four matches for Monaco in all competitions, notching a brace against the Turks a week ago, with their other strike coming courtesy of Axel Disasi.
Breel Embolo and Myron Boadu scored in their 2-0 road victory at Montpellier on Sunday as Alexander Nubel collected his fourth successive shutout away from home in all competitions.
Clement could have Willem Geubbels at his disposal for this match as the Frenchman has nearly recovered from a muscle strain, while Ruben Aguilar still has a problem with his foot.
Gelson Martins is dealing with a sore groin, and Kevin Volland, who came on as a substitute last Thursday, missed their encounter this weekend because of an ankle injury.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Larsen, Denswil, Hugo, Elmali; Bakasetas, Omur, Bardhi; Yazici, Bozok, Trezeguet
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Henrique, Badiashile, Disasi, Vanderson; Golovin, Minamino, Camara, Lucas; Ben Yedder, Boadu
We say: Trabzonspor 0-1 Monaco
Away from home, Monaco have shown tremendous poise and discipline defensively, and we do not anticipate they will be under duress often against a side that filter a lot of their attacks through Maxi Gomez.
In their last five home games, Trabzonspor have failed to find the back of the net on three occasions, and they could have their hands full against the in-form attack of Les Monegasques, who have not been shut out of an away contest since falling 1-0 to Strasbourg in March of last season.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
