Trabzonsporvs.Sivasspor

The hosts are looking to hold on to the Europa League qualification spot while the visitors are six points behind the team occupying the Europa Conference League spot.

Match preview

Trabzonspor bounced back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Konyaspor at Torku Arena last time out, thanks to goals from Trezeguet, Edin Visca and Taxiarchis Fountas.

The Black Sea Storm, who have alternated between defeats and wins in their last five matches, are firmly in third place with 52 points after 31 matches, five points ahead of fourth-placed Besiktas.

Abdullah Avci's side will look to maintain the lead over their closest rival with seven games left to play, when they host Sivasspor at Papara Park on Friday.

However, they will be playing their next four home matches behind closed doors, while also paying a fine after the pitch invasion incident against Fenerbahce.

Despite the absence of spectators, the Black Sea Storm will aim to maintain their three-match winning run on home soil against Friday's opponents. In 22 games between both sides at Papara Park, the hosts have won 15, drawn four and lost just three, while they are unbeaten in the last six.

Sivasspor ended a run of three competitive matches without a win, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fatih Karagumruk at Yeni 4 Eylul Stadyumu, courtesy of an 89th-minute goal by Rey Manaj.

Bulent Uygun's men failed to win any of their competitive games in March, playing out a goalless draw with Kasimpasa, before losing 2-1 to Alanyaspor and 4-1 against Adana Demirspor. However, they were involved in two friendlies during the international break and won both matches.

The Braves currently sit 10th in the Turkish Super Lig table and are just six points behind fourth-placed Besiktas, heading into the final seven matches of the season.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of ending a four-match winless run on the road, having lost their last away match to Adana after three consecutive away draws against Kasimpasa, Hatayspor and Ankaragucu.

Sivasspor are the sixth-best away side in the league this season, picking up 19 points from 16 trips but they are looking to pick up a result at a ground where they have not won since April 2018.

Trabzonspor Turkish Super Lig form:

W

W

L

W

L

W

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

D

L

L

W

Team News

Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu has returned to training after missing the last one-and-a-half months with a broken foot.

However, we could still see Nicolas Pepe or Enis Destan, who was suspended last time out, spearhead the attack again.

Enis Bardhi, Visca, and Trezeguet should play behind whoever is leading the line, with the latter looking to add to find the net in three consecutive matches.

Sivasspor have everyone back and available for this clash, leaving Uygun with a wealth of options to choose from.

Manaj, who is third on the Super Lig scorer's chart, is expected to lead the attack once again as he looks to add to his 16 goals so far.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Meunier, Baniya, Denswil, Elmali; Mendy, Ozdemir; Bardhi, Visca, Trezeguet; Pepe

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Ciftci, Osmanpasa, Appindangoye, Paluli; Akdag, Caktas, Charisis; Koita, Manaj, Turgunboev

We say: Trabzonspor 1-0 Sivasspor

Trabzonspor may be playing without the backing of their home fans, but they are still capable of pulling off a win. Although we expect this to be a closer match than it otherwise would be due to this absence of support, we believe the hosts will still prevail.

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