Adana Demirspor vs Trabzonspor

Trabzonspor head into Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig encounter with Adana Demirspor aiming to build on their recent success and secure back-to-back victories, as they continue their pursuit of a strong finish in the top half of the standings. For the Black Sea club, the opportunity to claim three points against a side already confirmed for relegation presents a chance not only to climb the table but also to maintain momentum as the season approaches its decisive stages. Facing a side that has endured one of the worst campaigns in the league, Trabzonspor will step onto the pitch as clear favourites, but they know all too well the dangers of taking any opponent lightly—especially when playing away from home.

For Adana Demirspor, the 2024-25 season has been nothing short of a nightmare. Last weekend’s catastrophic 6-0 defeat to Eyupspor was not only a humiliating result but also a painful reminder of the glaring deficiencies that have plagued the team throughout the campaign. The loss served as yet another chapter in a disastrous season that has seen Adana sink to the very bottom of the Super Lig standings. Confidence is at an all-time low, and with the club’s relegation already confirmed, there is little more than pride left to play for. However, pride alone may not be enough to inspire a turnaround in form for a side that is deeply entrenched in a cycle of poor performances and persistent disappointment.

That heavy defeat extended Adana Demirspor’s losing streak to four consecutive matches and marked their 13th straight game without a win—a record that puts them just one match away from equalling their own longest winless run of the season. This torrid form has created an environment of uncertainty and despair around the club, and with nothing tangible left to fight for, manager Mustafa Avci finds himself in a position where he may need to experiment with his squad. Given the circumstances, Avci is expected to ring in the changes on Saturday, possibly introducing younger or fringe players in an attempt to identify potential future contributors while resting those who have been unable to make an impact this season. To make matters worse, the home side will be without their first and second-choice goalkeepers due to injury, forcing them to rely on a third-string option between the posts—a worrying sign ahead of a match against an offensively capable Trabzonspor side.

In light of their recent performances, it is difficult to see a scenario where Adana Demirspor can muster a meaningful challenge. The team’s cohesion has disintegrated, and the morale across the squad appears to be depleted. When a team is rooted to the bottom of the table with such a prolonged period of misery behind them, it often becomes less about tactics and more about mental fortitude. Unfortunately for Adana, that resolve has been steadily eroded. Their supporters, who have stood by them through thick and thin, have had little to cheer for, and the atmosphere surrounding the club is one of resignation rather than hope.

Contrast that with Trabzonspor, who, despite enduring an inconsistent league campaign themselves, enter this contest with a sense of purpose. Their most recent outing resulted in a convincing 2-0 victory over Caykur Rizespor, a performance marked by control, energy, and effectiveness on both ends of the pitch. It was a showing that gave fans a glimpse of the quality this squad is capable of when things click. Although their domestic league performances have not consistently matched the high standards set by the club in previous seasons, Trabzonspor remain in contention for silverware via the Turkish Cup, with a semi-final against Goztepe scheduled for midweek. That upcoming fixture may influence head coach Abdullah Avci’s approach to the weekend match, as squad rotation becomes a likely consideration in order to keep key players fresh for the cup tie.

Even so, the depth in Trabzonspor’s squad should be more than sufficient to handle a struggling Adana Demirspor side. Historically, the visitors have enjoyed success in this fixture, having won the last two meetings between the teams while scoring a total of six goals and keeping clean sheets in both encounters. Those performances underscore Trabzonspor’s dominance over their southern rivals in recent clashes, yet caution remains warranted. Their last two visits to Adana have both ended in defeat, a curious statistic that the Trabzonspor camp will no doubt be keenly aware of. Playing away from home has presented its own challenges this season, with the team unable to consistently replicate its form on the road. These prior setbacks at the New Adana Stadium serve as a warning sign that overconfidence can be punished, particularly in matches where the stakes appear heavily lopsided.

From a tactical standpoint, Trabzonspor have found some stability in their setup in recent weeks. Players like Enis Destan have been instrumental in leading the attacking line, offering both pace and precision in the final third. The team’s midfield has shown increased balance, and the defense has tightened up after a stretch of leaky performances earlier in the season. While they are unlikely to field their strongest possible eleven on Saturday due to the Turkish Cup looming, the expected changes are unlikely to weaken the team significantly. Trabzonspor’s depth allows them to maintain quality even with rotational players, and several fringe squad members will view this as a golden opportunity to stake their claim for regular starting roles.

Meanwhile, Adana Demirspor are navigating a far different situation. Their squad, already depleted by injury and devoid of momentum, lacks the organization and leadership necessary to pose a serious threat. Manager Mustafa Avci, though experienced, has not been able to inspire a turnaround since taking charge. The team’s defensive frailties have been laid bare repeatedly, with lapses in concentration and a general disjointedness proving costly on numerous occasions. Up front, creativity and finishing ability have been in short supply, leaving Adana with one of the lowest goal tallies in the division.

The psychological contrast between the two teams could not be starker. Trabzonspor, even in a transitional season, have targets to aim for and a trophy to chase, while Adana are already preparing for life in the second tier. The motivations for the two squads diverge drastically—Trabzonspor are driven by ambition, Adana by damage control. That kind of discrepancy often manifests itself in the intensity and tempo with which each team plays. Expect the visitors to assert themselves early, using possession and territorial control to push Adana onto the back foot. If they can score within the opening exchanges, the floodgates could easily open once more, much like in Adana’s humiliating defeat last week.

With tougher fixtures on the horizon for Trabzonspor, including clashes against giants Galatasaray and Samsunspor, they cannot afford to drop points in matches like these. Every point counts in the race for higher placement, and victories against struggling sides are a necessity rather than a luxury. Even with the distraction of the Turkish Cup semi-final, head coach Abdullah Avci will likely demand a professional performance to ensure no momentum is lost. The risk of slipping up against an already-relegated team is real, but so too is the opportunity to assert dominance and sharpen the team’s edge ahead of more demanding challenges.

As the match approaches, attention will also be on how Trabzonspor manage their squad fitness and rotation. Players returning from injury may be eased back into action, while younger talents could be handed a chance to impress. These kinds of fixtures often allow managers to assess their resources and experiment tactically without the same pressure that accompanies matches against direct rivals. That said, the emphasis will remain on securing the win—anything less would be deemed unacceptable by the club’s supporters and hierarchy alike.

In contrast, for Adana Demirspor, the final stretch of this campaign is more about salvaging dignity than anything else. Relegation brings with it a host of challenges—financial strain, potential player departures, and the emotional toll of failure. But it also offers a chance for reflection and rebuilding. How they close out the season may not change their fate, but it could shape the club’s outlook heading into a crucial offseason. A respectable performance, even in defeat, could serve as a small consolation in an otherwise grim scenario. Conversely, another thrashing would only deepen the sense of despair and further alienate an already disillusioned fan base.

The disparity in form, morale, and overall direction between the two teams sets the stage for what should be a straightforward contest on paper. But football rarely adheres strictly to paper predictions. Trabzonspor know this all too well, especially with the knowledge of past slip-ups in this very stadium. They will be expected to control proceedings, apply pressure, and exploit the weaknesses that Adana have displayed so frequently. For the home side, finding a way to disrupt that rhythm—whether through sheer effort, tactical adjustments, or individual brilliance—will be their only hope of pulling off a surprise result.

Ultimately, Saturday’s fixture represents two teams at very different stages. One looks ahead with cautious optimism and hopes of silverware, while the other stares down the barrel of a rebuilding project in the second division. For Trabzonspor, the goal is clear: win, keep a clean sheet, and continue climbing. For Adana Demirspor, the challenge is less about points and more about pride, about showing they can still fight even when the battle is already lost.