Trabzonspor Vs Goztepe

Trabzonspor is poised to continue its positive momentum under new manager Fatih Tekke as they prepare to host Göztepe SK in the 29th round of the Turkish Süper Lig this Saturday. The Black Sea Storm recently secured their first away victory of the season, a 3-0 win over İstanbul Başakşehir, marking a promising start to Tekke's tenure. This upcoming match at the Şenol Güneş Stadium will be Tekke's first home game in charge, presenting an opportunity to solidify the team's resurgence.

The managerial change came after a series of underwhelming performances under former coach Şenol Güneş, who was relieved of his duties following a loss to Hatayspor. Güneş's fifth stint with the club ended amidst a challenging period, with the team failing to secure any away wins and losing three of their last five matches. Tekke, a former Trabzonspor player, was swiftly appointed as his successor and has already made a significant impact.

Currently, Trabzonspor sits ninth in the league table with 35 points, trailing the top four by nine points. While European qualification remains a challenging prospect, Tekke aims to instill consistency and drive the team higher up the standings. The upcoming fixtures, including a Turkish Cup quarter-final and league matches against Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, offer ample opportunities for the new manager to make his mark.

The immediate focus, however, is on avenging their 2-1 defeat to Göztepe in the reverse fixture earlier this season. That loss ended a five-match unbeaten streak against the İzmir-based side. Göztepe, under coach Stanimir Stoilov, has struggled recently, remaining winless in their last seven league outings. Their most recent match was a 1-1 draw at home against Eyüpspor, where they failed to capitalize on a numerical advantage after the opposition was reduced to 10 men.

This lack of ruthlessness has been a recurring issue for Göztepe, as they have also squandered leads in matches against Samsunspor and Sivasspor. Despite being just seven points off the top four, their current form makes European qualification a distant dream. Given their league struggles, Göztepe may prioritize their upcoming Turkish Cup quarter-final against Beşiktaş over this league encounter.

In terms of team news, Trabzonspor faces several injury concerns. Marek Hamšík is struggling with a calf injury and is unlikely to feature, while Vitor Hugo is recovering from a broken leg. Ismail Köybaşı and Dorukhan Toköz are also sidelined with minor injuries. Despite these setbacks, the team will look to Andreas Cornelius for attacking prowess, as he has netted 12 goals this season.

Göztepe also has injury issues, with Bosnian players Dženan Bureković and Marko Mihojević expected to miss the match. The team will rely on their available squad to navigate this challenging fixture.

Statistically, Trabzonspor has a strong home record, with six wins and three draws in their last ten home games. They have also performed well against Göztepe when hosting, with two wins and one draw in their last five encounters. Conversely, Göztepe has struggled on the road, failing to win any of their previous five away games.

As the match approaches, both teams will be eager to secure a positive result. For Trabzonspor, it's an opportunity to build on their recent success and continue their ascent under Tekke's guidance. For Göztepe, it's a chance to halt their winless streak and gain momentum ahead of their crucial cup tie.

The stage is set for an intriguing encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Trabzonspor's newfound confidence under Tekke will be tested against a Göztepe side desperate to turn their season around. Fans can expect a competitive match as both teams vie for valuable points in the Süper Lig.