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

Like their hosts, the visitors are also in a confident mood after winning their previous two matches in all competitions.

Match preview

Kayserispor experienced a mixed start to the campaign, losing three of their opening five matches, but two victories in that period ensured they made it out of the starters blocks.

While their opening five games may have produced varied results, Kayserispor have demonstrated signs that they can perform on a more consistent basis with two straight victories.

A narrow 1-0 win over Antalyaspor was followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over away to Hatayspor thanks to goals from Bernard Mensah, Miguel Cardoso, Andrea Bertolacci, Mario Gavranovic.

Beating a Hatayspor side that are winless this season suggests greater challenges lie ahead for Kayserispor, but they would have certainly taken confidence from racking up four goals, whilst keeping a third clean sheet in four league games.

Including last season, Kayserispor have won their last four home league matches by a combined 8-0 scoreline and another win on Saturday would edge the eighth-place side closer to the European places.

Meanwhile, current Turkish Super Lig champions Trabzonspor sit in seventh position with three points separating them from top spot.

After beating Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Cup and winning their opening two league games, Trabzonspor experienced a downturn in results.

One win in seven competitive games suggested they were struggling to balance domestic action with European football, but they received a much-needed boost before the international break.

A 2-1 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League was quickly followed by a dramatic 3-2 league victory against Gaziantep, where Trabzsonpor came from two goals down to clinch all three points courtesy of a 98th-minute winner from Marc Bartra.

After winning three of their last four competitive meetings with Kayserispor, Saturday's hosts will fancy their chances of claiming consecutive league victories.

Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

W

L

W

W

Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

D

W

L

W

Trabzonspor form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

W

W

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Ali Karimi, Joseph Attamah and Emrah Bassan due to injury issues.

Arif Kocaman has started the last two games for Kayserispor and the 19-year-old is expected to continue his centre-back partnership with Dimitrios Kolovetsios.

After coming off the bench to score against Hatayspor, Gavranovic is in contention for a starting place, which could result in Ilhan Parlak dropping out of the lineup.

As for the visitors, they have a number of injury concerns, with Edin Visca, Serkan Asan and Dorukhan Tokoz all expected to miss out.

Djaniny could also be absent from Saturday's contest after being forced off with an injury issue in the win over Gaziantep before the international break.

Meanwhile, Enis Bardhi and Maxi Gomez could both be included in the starting lineup after featuring as second half substitutes last time out.

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Bayazit; Bulut, Kolovetsios, Kocaman, Carole; Civelek, Cardoso, Campanharo, Mensah, Thiam; Gavranovic

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Stryger Larsen, Bartra, Hugo, Elmali; Hamsik, Siopsis; Trezeguet, Bakasetas, Bardhi; Gomez

We say: Kayserispor 2-2 Trabzonspor

Kayserispor have won all three home games this season, but they face a tough test on Saturday when they come up against the current Turkish Super Lig champions.

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