Preview: Caykur Rizespor vs. Trabzonspor - prediction, team news, lineups

On Friday, runaway Super Lig leaders Trabzonspor will travel to the Yeni Rize Sehir Stadium to face Caykur Rizespor.

The visitors, on the other hand, are winless in their last seven matches and look set to drop down to the second tier following a disappointing season.

Match preview

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With just nine games left to play and 12 points separating them from safety, the writing seems to be on the wall for struggling Caykur Rizespor.

Hopes of remaining in the top flight have faded away in the last couple of months, with Caykur Rizespor winless since a 2-1 victory over Antalyaspor on January 20.

In fact, that result represents their sole victory of 2022, with their 10 league matches this calendar year yielding just six points - only Yeni Malatyaspor have collected fewer points this year.

Their form seems to have taken a turn for the worse in the last few weeks, with Caykur Rizespor's last four games ending in defeat.

Although, they can draw comfort from the fact that they have picked up 20 of their 23 points from home matches, and they will be aiming to add to that tally on Friday.

At the other end of the table, Trabzonspor are edging ever closer to their first Super Lig title since 1984, with the runaway league leaders 15 points clear of second-placed Konyaspor with nine games to play.

They have been superior at both ends of the pitch, scoring more goals (56) than any other team in the league, while they also boast the best defensive record in the top flight after conceding just 23 goals this season.

A home win over Goztepe last weekend helped Trabzonspor extend their unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions, although it was a victory that was far from comfortable.

Halil Akbunar gave Goztepe the lead before Trabzonspor turned the encounter around thanks to goals from Anthony Nwakaeme and Abdulkadir Omur, but Soner Aydogdu struck just two minutes before the break to deny the hosts a half-time lead.

The league leaders, however, highlighted why they are running away with the title as Djaniny restored their advantage just after the interval before Omur grabbed his second goal to help Trabzonspor to a 4-2 win that ensures that they head to the Yeni Rize Sehir Stadium in scintillating form.

Team News

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Although he scored in the defeat to Kasimpasa, Selim Ay also picked up an injury in that contest and as a result, the defender will miss Friday's encounter.

Baiano Fabricio will also miss out due to suspension after the right-back was sent off last weekend.

Bulent Korkmaz could make a number of changes to the side, with Cemali Sertel, Yusuf Sari and Joel Pohjanpalo all expected to come into the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, the league leaders are unable to call upon Marek Hamsik and Dorukhan Tokoz, who both miss out due to injury issues.

They will also be without the services of Tymoteusz Puchacz and Ugurcan Cakir, with the pair serving their respective suspension periods.

After coming on at half time to score in the 4-2 victory over Goztepe, Djaniny is expected to lead the line for Trabzonspor on Friday.

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Akkan; Holmen, Ponck, Topcu, Sertel; Fernandes, Phiri; Sari, Boldrin, Boyd; Pohjanpalo

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Peres, Denswil, Kaplan, Trondsen; Siopis, Tokoz; Visca, Omur, Nwakaeme; Djaniny

We say: Caykur Rizespor 1-3 Trabzonspor

With Caykur Rizespor bereft of confidence and struggling at the bottom of the table, it is difficult to see how they can challenge a Trabzonspor side that have swept aside all challengers this season, and we think that the league leaders will continue their fine run of form by easing to a comfortable victory on Friday.

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