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

Managerless Trabzonspor will continue their quest for Europa Conference League qualification when they play host to Kayserispor on Saturday.

The visitors will be looking to return to winning ways after losing their last two matches to Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor.

Match preview

© Reuters

Abdullah Avci was removed from his post as Trabzonspor boss following a 2-1 home defeat to Umraniyespor earlier this month, leaving his assistant Orhan Ak to take charge of the side on an interim basis.

Ak's first game in charge proved to be a positive experience, as his side eased to a comfortable 4-1 home victory over Adana Demirspor.

Yusuf Yazici's opener was cancelled out by Badou NDiaye in first-half stoppage time, but goals from Vitor Hugo, Edin Visca and Umut Bozok ensured that Trabzonspor claimed all three points.

Trabzonspor will head into the weekend in fifth position with five points separating them from Europa Conference League places.

Having won eight of their last nine competitive home matches, Trabzonspor will be confident that they can pick up a victory on Sunday.

After claiming three consecutive victories, Kayserispor have experienced a couple of poor results which has hampered their European hopes.

A narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Fenerbahce was followed by a disappointing away game against Antalyaspor, where they were thrashed by a 4-0 scoreline.

With 11 points separating them from the top three, qualifying for European competition seems to be out of Kayserispor's reach.

However, with Kayserispor sitting in seventh position, they look set to claim their best finishing position since the 2018-19 campaign.

Having conceded at least two goals in four of their last five away league games, Kayserispor boss Cagdan Atan will want to see an improvement from his defence this weekend.

Team News

© Reuters

Trabzonspor are still expected to be without the services of Dorukhan Tokoz, while Trezeguet is set to miss a second straight game through injury.

Lazar Markovic returned from a three-match suspension to feature as a substitute in the 4-1 win over Adana Demirspor, and he could be brought into the side for Sunday's encounter.

Despite coming off the bench to score against Adana Demirspor, Visca and Bozok may have to settle for places among the substitutes.

As for the visitors, Majid Hosseini is ruled out with an injury issue, while there are doubts surrounding the availability of Joseph Attamah.

Lionel Carole was unavailable for Kayserispor's last league outing, but he is expected to be fit for Sunday's encounter.

After featuring as a half-time substitute against Antalyaspor, Mario Gavranovic could be presented with a starting place.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Peres, Bartra, Hugo, Stryger Larsen; Omur, Siopis; Markovic, Yazici, Bardhi; Gomez

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Bayindir; Sazdagi, Kolovetsios, Kocaman, Carole; Campanharo; Kemen, Cardoso, Karimi, Mane; Gavranovic

We say: Trabzonspor 2-1 Kayserispor

Trabzonspor have fared well in recent games against Kayserispor, winning their last three league meetings, and we think that they will utilise home advantage to claim another victory on Saturday.

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