

Overview: Trabzonspor comes into this match in strong form, sitting comfortably in 3rd place in the Süper Lig. [21, 29, 31] Their performance has been very good throughout the season, winning 63% of their matches overall. [21] Their home form is particularly formidable. Recent results include convincing wins in both league and cup competitions, demonstrating a high level of confidence and offensive capability. They have won four of their last five matches, with the only loss coming against title contenders Fenerbahce.
Tactical Notes: Trabzonspor is expected to dominate possession and apply pressure from the start, leveraging their home advantage. Their attack is potent, and they will likely look to exploit the flanks to create scoring opportunities. Despite their strong attacking record, they have shown some defensive vulnerabilities, which could give Rizespor chances on the counter-attack. The potential absence of key players like Edin Višća could impact their creative output, but they have enough squad depth to compensate.
Key Players: Paul Onuachu, Anthony Nwakaeme, Stefan Savic
Overview: Caykur Rizespor currently sits in 10th place in the league table and has had an average season so far. [12, 13, 19] Their recent form is inconsistent, with a mix of wins, draws, and a heavy cup defeat to Besiktas. [19, 35] They have struggled more on the road than at home. Rizespor has demonstrated they can score goals but have also been defensively frail, conceding 35 goals this season. [19] They will be missing key forward Halil Dervisoglu due to suspension, which will blunt their attacking options. [19, 25]
Tactical Notes: Rizespor is likely to adopt a cautious, counter-attacking approach. They will aim to stay compact defensively and absorb pressure, looking for opportunities to break quickly. With key striker Halil Dervisoglu suspended, they may rely on the pace of Valentin Mihaila and the creativity of Qazim Laci to generate chances. [19] Their main challenge will be containing Trabzonspor's high-powered offense, especially given their own defensive record and the long-term injury to defender Khusniddin Alikulov. [27]
Key Players: Valentin Mihaila, Qazim Laci