Preview: Trabzonspor vs. Gaziantep - prediction, team news, lineups

Trabzonspor play host to Gaziantep on Monday evening looking to record their sixth successive victory in Super Lig.

Meanwhile, 12th-placed Gaziantep make the journey to the league leaders looking to build on their much-needed 2-0 victory over Kasimpasa last time out.

Match preview

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Sitting seven points clear of the chasing pack after just 12 matches, you would be forgiven for assuming that Trabzonspor have been blowing away their competition.

However, seven of their nine victories this season have come by a one-goal margin, Abdullah Avci's side showing the character required to end their 38-year wait for a league title.

While it is still early days, every victory collected at this stage of the season will stand them in good stead at a time when their rivals are struggling for consistency.

Trabzonspor went into the international break having recorded a fine 2-1 victory away at Besiktas, Andreas Cornelius netting a last-time winner to move his team 10 points clear of the champions.

Clean sheets remain in short supply - just one has been kept in seven outings - but that has mattered little with Trabzonspor scoring in every league game this season.

Opponents Gaziantep are approaching the end of the first third of the campaign having failed to put together back-to-back victories in Turkey's top flight.

Nevertheless, four wins have been posted from their last nine outings, the latest coming against Kasimpasa on November 5.

Remarkably, none of this squad have scored more than twice this season, English defender Steven Caulker becoming the ninth different player to find the back of the net last time out.

Although Erol Bulut will be relatively disappointed with his team's start to the campaign, Gaziantep only sit six points adrift of fourth-placed Alanyaspor.

Team News

Erce Kardesler will make a rare appearance in goal for Trabzonspor after Ugurcan Cakir was sent off against Besiktas.

An alteration is also expected in midfield with Manolis Siopis in line to replace the injured Anastasios Bakasetas.

On the back of his goal versus Besiktas, Cornelius could get the nod in attack, taking the spot of Djaniny.

As for Gaziantep, Angelo Sagal may be introduced in the final third with Joao Figueiredo serving a suspension.

Alexander Merkel will also expect to be handed a recall in midfield, potentially taking the spot of Dogan Erdogan.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Kardesler; Peres, Hugo, Ie, Trondsen; Omur, Hamsik, Ozdemir, Siopis, Nwakaeme; Cornelius

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Guvenc; Ersoy, Caulker, Djilobodji; Ceylan, Merkel, Niyaz, Maxim, Mendy; Demir, Sagal

We say: Trabzonspor 3-0 Gaziantep

Having ended their winless streak last time out, Gaziantep may feel comfortable in throwing caution to the wind against the runaway leaders. Nevertheless, an early goal would give Trabzonspor full control, and we feel that could happen on Monday night.