Eyupsporvs.Samsunspor

Arda Turan's team lost their last fixture at home, ending an unbeaten start in front of their supporters, but aim to respond against fellow high-flyers.

Match preview

Eyupspor may have ended last term atop the second tier but were expected to struggle in the Super Lig in their maiden top-flight attempt.

However, Turan's side have flourished, securing commendable victories on home turf and being hard to beat on their travels to sit fourth in the table after 14 rounds.

The Istanbul side's approach suffered a setback in late November against Rizespor despite scoring the first goal in the gameweek 13 encounter.

That home loss preceded an admirable draw at table-topping title favourites Galatasaray, where they fought back from 2-1 down to secure a point against Okan Buruk's team.

While the 2-1 Rizespor defeat ended Eyupspor's three-match winning sequence on home turf, the promoted side aim to shake off that disappointment by beating Sunday's opponents.

That is far from guaranteed for the hosts, given Samsunspor's impressive away results this term, even if Kirmizi Simsekler recently lost their winning road start.

Regardless, there was no shame in losing to Galatasaray, and they hope to avoid back-to-back defeats on their travels after a hitherto unblemished start before the reverse at the Super Lig defending champions.

Although Thomas Reis' men are not new to the league, Samsunspor's start has equally astonished observers due to its unforeseen nature.

Last season's 13th-placed side have started impressively under their German boss and are on pace to emulate their best Super Lig finish since the turn of the millennium — seventh in 2003-04.

The club's new boss has turned the tide for a club whose road results heading into this season left much to be desired: the Red Lightning were winless in all 10 league matches (six defeats) on their travels this year before the start of 2024-25 and had claimed one win in 19 such fixtures (13 losses) since returning to the top tier in August 2023.

Reis joining the club has changed Samsunspor's story, but continuing their admirable results is contingent on avoiding extended dips for the rest of 2024 and the start of next year.

Eyupspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

D

W

W

L

D

Samsunspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

W

L

D

W

Team News

Turan has a surplus of injury worries: Fredrik Midtsjo is out for the season with a serious knee injury, while Recep Niyaz, Tasos Chatzigiovanis and Umut Meras are absent.

Eyupspor welcome three players from suspension, with Robin Yalcin, Melih Kabasakal, and Ahmed Kutucu possibly returning to the XI after bans.

Kutucu and Mame Thiam, both on six goals apiece, aim to add to their league tallies against an in-form away side.

Samsunspor have no reported injury worries ahead of Sunday, seeing the Red Lightning enter the match with a clean bill of health.

The third-placed side have benefitted from multiple goalscoring threats, as evidenced by three players — Olivier Ntcham, Carlo Holse and Marius Mouandilmadji — scoring five league goals, Soner Aydogdu notching four and Landry Dimata netting three.

Eyupspor possible starting lineup:

Ozer; Dubois, Claro, Yalcin, Erkin; Ilter, Kabaskal; Ampem, Akbaba, Kutucu; Thiam

Samsunspor possible starting lineup:

Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Drongelen, Bola; Ntcham, Bennasser; Kilinc, Holse, Dimata; Mouandilmadji

We say: Eyupspor 2-2 Samsunspor

Written by

Anthony Brown

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