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

Two of the top five from last season's Super Lig do battle on Monday when Trabzonspor welcome Sivasspor to the Medical Park Arena.

With 71 points from 40 games, the hosts finished fourth in the 2020-21 campaign, one spot and six points above their visitors.

Match preview

Trabzonspor flew out of the blocks with a 5-1 victory over Yeni Malatyaspor in their opening league fixture on Monday.

Goals from Anastasios Bakasetas, Anthony Nwakaeme, Gervinho, Marek Hamsik and Djaniny secured an impressive win for Abdullah Avci's men.

Unsurprisingly, the Black Sea Storm lead the way after the first round of matches as a result of that resounding triumph.

Thier next assignment comes against an opposing side who have beaten them in just one of the last six encounters between the teams.

Monday's hosts have claimed wins in two of those clashes as the spoils have been shared on three occasions, including both of last season's meetings.

Sivasspor suffered a 1-0 defeat against Konyaspor on Monday to kick off their domestic campaign on the back foot.

The contest was decided two minutes from the end of regulation time through Sokol Cikalleshi's strike which sank Riza Calimbay's men.

While the Braves were still licking their wounds, a 2-1 defeat in the first-leg of the Conference League playoff followed.

Monday's visitors still have 90 minutes to redeem themselves, but in the meantime, avoiding a second consecutive league defeat is the task at hand.

Team News

Dorukhan Tokoz is ruled out for the home side due to a foot injury he sustained while on duty with the Turkey national team.

Abdullah Avci might contemplate making some alterations to his regular XI, with the likes of Andreas Cornelius pushing for a start.

Pedro Henrique is set to sit out a fifth game on the bounce for the visitors as he continues to battle with a shoulder problem.

Sivasspor will also be without the services of defenders Aaron Appidangoye and Dimitrios Goutas, who are both sidelined with muscle injuries.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Koybasi, Hugo, Ie, Peres; Hamsik, Bakasetas, Ozdemir; Nwakaeme, Cornelius, Gervinho

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Ciftci, Osmanpasa, Altinay, Oguz; Arslan, Cofie, Fajr; Kayode, James, Gradel

We say: Trabzonspor 1-1 Sivasspor

The sides are closely matched and either could end up claiming all three points. However, they have proven to be inseparable over the course of the last two meetings, and we can see that trend continuing here.