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

Trabzonspor and Kayserispor will kick off round eight of the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig at Papara Park on Friday, with the hosts aiming to extend their strong start to the season and add to the struggles of their winless visitors.

The Anatolian side are one of only two teams yet to pick up a league victory this term after seven matches, though they have managed to limit their defeats to just two.

Match preview

Trabzonspor survived a late scare last weekend, edging out Fatih Karagumruk in a thrilling 4-3 contest at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium to snap a three-match winless streak.

Fatih Tekke’s men went ahead through Felipe Augusto in the 19th minute but were quickly pegged back, before in-form former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu struck twice to give the Black Sea Storm a comfortable cushion at half time.

Danylo Sikan added a fourth in the 88th minute, seemingly putting the game to bed, but substitute David Datro Fofana netted a dramatic late brace in stoppage time to ensure a nervy finish.

Trabzonspor have now collected 14 points from their opening seven matches, losing just once in the process, making it their best start to a campaign in four years, bettered only by the title-winning 2021-22 season when they had one point more at this stage.

Tekke has breathed new life into the side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just five points above the drop zone – since taking charge, his only league defeats have come against Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

Victory on Friday would send them into the international break in high spirits, with a favourable run of fixtures ahead offering the chance to build momentum and potentially string together a winning streak.

While Trabzonspor’s revival has been one of the early-season stories, Kayserispor have moved in the opposite direction following a change of leadership in the summer.

The Anatolian Star avoided relegation comfortably last term under Sergej Jakirovic - now at Hull City - who turned the season around postively after taking over in the middle, though a late stumble saw them go three games without a win to close the campaign.

Markus Gisdol has struggled to find the same spark, failing to win any of his seven league matches in charge, stretching their winless run to 10 games overall, and last Sunday’s 1-1 home draw with Genclerbirligi did little to lift the mood, instead sparking louder doubts about his future.

Kayserispor trailed from the 26th minute and found themselves with a two-man advantage from the 70th minute, but could only snatch a point deep into stoppage time – a result that left supporters chanting for Gisdol’s resignation.

Unless the German turns results around quickly, his tenure could soon be under serious threat, and Kayserispor’s recent record against Trabzonspor also offers little encouragement, with no wins in their last three meetings, while their last away victory came back in April – a run of seven road games without success.

Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Trabzonspor will once again be without Anthony Nwakaeme, who continues his recovery from a muscle injury, while Benjamin Bouchouari and Mustafa Eskihellac also remain sidelined.

Okay Yokuslu returns from suspension after his red card against Fenerbahce, and all eyes will be on Nigerian striker Onuachu, who has been responsible for more than half of the Black Sea Storm’s league goals this season.

Cape Verdean full-back Wagner Pina, who assisted the opening two goals against Karagumruk, and French midfielder Tim Jabol-Folcarelli, creator of the most big chances for Trabzonspor so far (2), will both be aiming to influence proceedings again.

Summer signing Christ Ravynel Inao Oulai impressed on his debut last weekend, earning high praise from the opposition manager, and could keep his place at the heart of midfield.

Kayserispor have their own concerns, with Yaw Ackah and Carlos Mane struggling with muscle issues, while Youssef Ait Bennasser is still recovering from a thigh problem.

Majid Hosseini and Joao Mendes are also doubtful, compounding issues for the visitors who are in need of all the quality they can get right now.

Gisdol switched to a back-four in the draw with Genclerbirligi, moving Lionel Carole into centre-back alongside Stefano Denswil, though at a difficult venue like Papara Park, he may be tempted to revert to a back-five setup for extra defensive cover.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Onana; Pina, Batagov, Savic, Bosluk; Oulai, Jabol-Folcarelli; Olaigbe, Augusto, Zubkov; Onuachu

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Bayazit, Civelek, Denswil, Carole, Burak; Tokoz; Opoku, Soyalp, Benes, Cardoso; Onugkha

We say: Trabzonspor 3-1 Kayserispor

Kayserispor head into this clash without a clean sheet in 12 matches, and with Trabzonspor finding their scoring touch against Karagumruk by netting more than once for the first time this season, the hosts could sense an opportunity to pile on further goals.

The visitors look disjointed and short of inspiration across all areas of the pitch, and coming up against a Trabzonspor side that is finally starting to click, survival on Friday night feels like a tall order.

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