On Sunday night, Trabzonspor will host Besiktas at Papara Park in an attempt to win their first game of the current Turkish Super Lig season.
The visitors, who have won three straight games in the Super Liga, will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Due to their early season engagement in Europe, Trabzonspor has played two less games than the majority of other Super Lig teams.
The Black Sea Storm's season hasn't started off well, though, as they have settled for goalless draws in their first two league games of the year against Sivasspor and Eyupspor.
The Black Sea Storm have played both of their previous games on the road, and will be hosting their first home game when they take on Besiktas on Sunday.
Trabzonspor had three meetings against Sunday's opposition last season – twice in the league and once in the Turkish Cup – and they lost two and won one, though the win happened when they hosted this fixture in the league.
Due to these dismal outcomes, the previous manager, Abdullah Avci, resigned with mutual consent. Senol Gunes, who will coach for the first time on Sunday, has taken over for Avci.
The Black Sea Storm will play their first home game on Sunday against Besiktas after playing their first two games away from home.
Last season, Trabzonspor faced this opponent three times: twice in the league and once in the Turkish Cup. They won once, however the victory came when they hosted this league match.
Gunes will be aiming for his team to deliver a repeat performance and secure their first league victory of the season. However, there may be concerns about their ability to do so, given they have lost their last two home matches in all competitions.
In contrast to the hosts' struggles, Besiktas have enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, winning five of their six matches across all competitions, including an impressive 5-0 win over reigning league champions Galatasaray in the Super Cup.
Three of those victories have come in the league – 2-0 against Samsunspor, 4-2 against Antalyaspor, and 2-0 against Sivasspor – with the Black Eagles maintaining a perfect record, earning nine points. This has placed them third in the standings, just one point behind league leaders Fenerbahce, who have played an extra game.
The arrival of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who took over from interim manager Serdar Topraktepe in June 2024, appears to have revitalized Besiktas after their sixth-place finish last season.
As they prepare to face one of the league’s stronger teams, Besiktas will be confident of continuing their strong form, having recorded a draw and a win in their last two away games across all competitions.
Enis Destan will not be playing for Trabzonspor in this matchup as he is recovering from a shoulder injury that should keep him out until October.
Both Edin Visca and recently signed Anthony Nwakaeme are questionable for this match as they work to fully recover from injuries to their muscles.
Due to ligament and hip ailments, respectively, midfielders Semih Kilicsoy and Necip Uysal will not be available for Besiktas.
As predicted, Ciro Immobile will lead the line for the visitors on Sunday in an attempt to increase his total of three league goals this season.
