Kasimpasavs.Caykur Rizespor

The hosts head into the weekend in eighth place in the Turkish Super Lig table, while the visitors are one point worse off in 10th position.

Match preview

Kasimpasa recently appointed former Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz as their new head coach following the departure of Hakan Keles, who left by mutual content following a short time in charge.

Keles oversaw a 5-4 victory over Hatayspor in the final match of his tenure, leaving him with a record of two wins, five draws and one defeat in his eight Turkish Super Lig games in the dugout.

After finishing Keles's tenure with a nine-goal thriller, Kasimpasa were involved in another exciting affair in Yilmaz's first game in charge, claiming a 5-3 away victory over Adana Demirspor thanks to a Mamadou Fall brace as well as goals from Haris Hajradinovic, Aytac Kara and Can Keles.

Unfortunately for Yilmaz, his side experienced disappointment in Wednesday's Turkish Cup tie against Istanbulspor, falling to a 2-0 away defeat to leave them in fifth place in their group without a point to their name after two matches, ensuring they cannot make it to the knockout rounds despite having one game left to play.

Kasimpasa will now turn their focus back to league action, with the hosts looking to complete a league double over Rizespor after recording a 1-0 away victory in the reverse fixture in August.

Rizespor will head into the weekend in 10th position after winning eight, drawing three and losing 10 of their 21 top-flight matches this season.

Ilhan Palut's side failed to take anything from last Sunday's away game against Fenerbahce despite establishing a two-goal lead courtesy of an Ali Sowe brace.

However, their lead was cut in half from the penalty spot after Ibrahim Olawoyin was given his marching orders, before Fenerbahce scored two more goals following Rachid Ghezzal's dismissal in the 78th minute.

After suffering their fourth defeat in five away league games, Rizespor produced a positive response in their midweek Turkish Cup outing against Ankaragucu, claiming a narrow 2-1 victory to leave them in third place in Group A, sitting just outside the qualification spots on goals scored.

As a result of their cup success, Rizespor have now gone nine competitive home games without losing, and they will hope home advantage can help them beat Kasimpasa for the first time since October 2021.

Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

L

D

W

W

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

W

L

W

L

Team News

Kasimpasa goalkeeper Andreas Gianniotis is a doubt after being absent for Yilmaz's first two matches in charge.

Shot-stopper Sinan Bolat could make his debut after arriving on loan from Westerlo, while Atakan Mujde is set to feature on the bench following his arrival on a free transfer.

Keles, who also joined the club in the winter transfer window, could be rewarded with a starting opportunity after scoring his first goal for the club last weekend.

As for the visitors, Eray Korkmaz is sidelined with a leg injury, while Ghezzal and Olawoyin are suspended after being sent off against Fenerbahce.

Those suspensions may open the door for Emrecan Bulut and Dal Varesanovic to feature in Sunday's starting lineup.

The defensive duo of Khusniddin Alikulov and Taha Sahin could return to the side, having served one-match bans for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:

Gianniotis; Winck, Piatowski, Opoku, Ozan; Hajradinovic, Cafu, Kara, Barak, Brekalo; Fali

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Cetin; Pala, Mocsi, Akaydin, Hojer; Papanikolaou, Hadziahmetovic; Akintola, Varesanovic, Bulut; Sowe

We say: Kasimpasa 1-1 Caykur Rizespor

Written by

Ben Sully

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