Trabzonspor take on Besiktas in the latest round of Turkish Super Lig fixtures on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are sixth in the table, having picked up 44 points in 27 games, while the visitors are up in third, and could still make a late push for the title if they go on a good run.
Match preview
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Having won the 2021-22 Turkish Super Lig title, Trabzonspor have had a very disappointing season, as they trail league leaders Galatasaray by 19 points as we head into the final third of the campaign.
Black Sea Storm are also very unlikely to be in European contention this season, given that they are 11 points behind Sunday's opponents, who currently occupy the last Europa Conference League qualification spot.
To make matters worse for Ihsan Derelioglu's side, they recently bowed out of the Turkish Cup with a 2-0 loss away at Ankaragucu, meaning they have very little left to play for at this stage of the season.
Form on the road has been the main issue for Trabzonspor all season, as they actually have a very good home record, having picked up 30 points in front of their own fans, only four fewer than league leaders Galatasaray.
The Black Sea Storm's deficiencies on their travels were highlighted once again in their last match, losing 2-0 away at Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig, and they have now lost five of their last six matches in all competitions.
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It will be an emotional return for Besiktas boss Senol Gunes on Saturday, coming up against his boyhood club, with whom he won six titles during his playing career.
There can be no room to get drawn into any of that, however, as Gunes's side still have a chance of competing for the league title, although it will be tough, currently eight points behind Galatasaray, having also played one extra game.
The Black Eagles' recent form has been fantastic, winning their last five games in the league, and some of them have not been easy by any means, emerging 2-0 victors away at Istanbul Basaksehir, as well as beating Fenerbahce 4-2, despite having 10 men.
Besiktas are now seven points clear of fourth-placed Adana Demirspor, and while the league title may be a stretch, they will still be keen to solidify their place in the top three, to ensure they bring European football back to Vodafone Park next season.
Last time out, the Black Eagles recorded a 3-1 victory at home to Giresunspor, with Vincent Aboubakar scoring a brace, and they are now tasked with beating Besiktas for what would be the first time in their last five attempts.
Team News
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Having looked devoid of any real quality in the attacking third last time out, Derelioglu may choose to make a few changes to his Trabzonspor side, with playmaker Marek Hamsik replacing Dogucan Haspolat in midfield.
Edin Visca was brought off with an injury just 20 minutes after being brought on as a substitute against Kasimpasa, indicating the 33-year-old may be unavailable for Sunday's game.
Striker Maxi Gomez has been unimpressive in front of goal recently, and the Uruguayan could drop to the bench, with Umut Bozok instead coming into the starting lineup.
Besiktas will continue to be without Dele Alli, who has a muscle injury, but the 27-year-old had fallen down the pecking order even prior to his current issue, with Nathan Redmond starring in an advanced midfield role.
Tayyip Talha Sanuc has missed the last two games due to a knee problem, and he will be unavailable for selection once again, with Omar Colley and Romain Saiss instead set to get the nod at centre-back.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Larsen, Turkmen, Denswil, Elmali; Siopsis, Hamsik, Omur, Bakasetas, Markovic; Gomez
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Bulut, Colley, Saiss, Masuaku; Ucan, Hadziahmetovic, Ghezzal, Redmond, Fernandes; Aboubakar
We say: Trabzonspor 2-3 Besiktas
Games involving Besiktas have often been high-scoring affairs as of late, and their attacking prowess should be enough to secure a victory away at Trabzonspor this weekend.
It will not be an easy game by any means, but Derelioglu's side have been very poor in recent weeks, losing their last three games against teams far weaker than Besiktas, and we expect their poor run of form to continue.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
