Trabzonspor are undefeated in their last 25 home matches (Super Lig). Hatayspor have conceded at least 3 goals in their last 3 away matches (Super Lig). Trabzonspor have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Hatayspor in all competitions. Hatayspor have lost their last 3 away matches (Super Lig). There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Hatayspor's last 3 away games (Super Lig).
Trabzonspor beat Istanbulspor 2-0 last time out. The game was played in sweltering heat and Avci's side played an intelligent game, not forcing the tempo, creating chances from set pieces, and getting the best out of them. Hatayspor's defence is only slightly better than Istanbulspor's, so expect a similar performance here. Last week was Hatayspor's bye week, so this will be their first game of the season. They have lost some key players in the transfer window, including solid defenders like Kurucuk, goalkeeper Munir, and perhaps most importantly midfielder dynamo Adama Traore. They also parted ways with Omer Erdogan, the indubitable architect of the 2020/21 Hatayspor neutrals fell in love with. Whether Ozbalta, whose latest spell in the Super Lig with Altay ended in disappointment, will be as successful as his predecessor remains to be seen but in the short run, Hatayspor are unlikely to cause any trouble for the title-holders. 2:0
Emmanouil Siopis will start in midfield as Marek Hamsik is sidelined with an injury. Bruno Peres, Huseyin Turkmen and Serkan Asan, none of whom were expected to start against Hatayspor, are also sidelined with injury. Berat Ozdemir has signed for Ettifaq FC and will not feature. Manager Serkan Ozbalta has a full squad to pick from. New arrivals Erce Kardesler, Ognjen Vranjes and Kevin Varga are expected to make their debut here. Fellow summer arrivals Musa Cagiran, Kaan Kanak, and Burak Yilmaz are expected to start on the bench.