Trabzonsporvs.Bodrumspor

Despite their contrasting statuses and expectations, both teams have endured similarly perilous campaigns, with the looming threat of relegation casting an unwelcome shadow over their seasons.

Match preview

Trabzonspor's struggles continue in a season that began with high expectations following their third-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign, and the latest setback came last Monday in the form of a dramatic 4-3 defeat against league leaders and fierce rivals Galatasaray.

The Black Sea Storm currently sit 15th in the Super Lig standings, with 16 points from 15 matches, just one point and one position clear of the relegation zone.

A winless start to the campaign prompted a managerial change, with Senol Gunes taking the reins from Abdullah Avci, who departed via mutual agreement - however, the change has done little to steady the sinking ship.

Since a resounding 5-0 victory over bottom-side Adana Demirspor, Trabzonspor have gone winless in their last three matches, registering two defeats and a draw - nonetheless, there is cautious optimism that this poor run could end this weekend against newly-promoted Bodrumspor, who are also enduring a challenging season.

This will mark the first-ever meeting between the two sides, but Trabzonspor can draw confidence from their strong home record, with 12 of their 16 points earned on home soil, while they have won three of their last five matches as hosts.

Meanwhile, Bodrumspor come into the game on the back of one of their best weeks of the season, as Volkan Demirel, who replaced Ismet Tasdemir as manager at the end of October, finally secured his first league victory with a 2-0 win over Sivasspor in their last outing.

Prior to that win, the newcomers had endured a dire seven-match winless streak, recording two draws and five defeats that left their campaign in disarray.

As the saying goes, 'when it rains, it pours' - Bodrumspor followed up their league success with a morale-boosting 6-1 thrashing of third-division side Kastamonuspor in the Turkish Cup on Wednesday, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since September.

Currently 17th in the table with 14 points, Bodrumspor sit two points adrift of safety, but this weekend represents a golden opportunity for Demirel's side to achieve three consecutive victories for the first time this season - however, that may prove a herculean task given their poor away form.

The visitors have managed just one win in seven away league matches and are without a victory in their last four, having lost the last three.

Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

W

L

D

L

Bodrumspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

L

L

L

W

Bodrumspor form (all competitions):

Team News

Trabzonspor will be without one key player for this clash: 21-year-old defender Serdar Saatci, who is suspended after accumulating an excessive number of yellow cards.

The defensive woes do not end there, as injuries have taken their toll on the squad; Stefan Savic, Serkan Asan, Arif Bosluk and Huseyin Turkmen are all sidelined until January, leaving the defence severely depleted.

Up front, Simon Banza, the league's joint-top scorer with 10 goals, is set to lead the line once again, aiming to extend his scoring streak to three consecutive matches.

The visitors, Bodrumspor, are also grappling with multiple injuries, as Suleyman Ozdamar (Achilles), Tunahan Akpinar (shin), Arlind Ajeti (ankle) and Mustafa Erdilman (knee) are all unavailable for selection.

George Puscas, who leads Bodrumspor's scoring charts with four league goals, is expected to maintain his position as the focal point of their attack.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Malheiro, Mendy, Yilmaz, Elmali; Tufan, Lundstram; Visca, Cham, Nwakaeme; Banza

Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:

Sousa; Ergun, Aytemur, Celustka, Sen; Antalyali, Mohammed; Bayrakdar, Fredy, Seferi; Puscas

We say: Trabzonspor 2-1 Bodrumspor

Written by

Joshua Cole

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