Kayserispor will hope to kickoff their 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig campaign on a winning note, when they welcome Sivasspor to the Kadir Has Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the visitors opened their account with a goalless draw against Trabzonspor at the New Sivas 4 Eylul Stadium last Sunday.
Match preview
© Imago
Kayserispor will be eager to improve on their 14th-place finish from last season, which was only two points above the relegation zone.
The Anatolian Star endured a turbulent campaign, employing three managers - Cagdas Atan, Recep Ucar, and Burak Yilmaz - without any form of improvement to show.
Yilmaz, who was retained for the new season, faces a tough task to turn things around, and a disappointing pre-season defeat to Samsunspor has not eased the pressure.
Kayserispor, who have a poor recent record against Saturday's opponents, losing their last two meetings, will be keen to hit the ground running as a statement of their intentions this season.
Meanwhile, after having an impressive campaign last term, Sivasspor are looking to build on their best league finish in three years.
A point against Trabzonspor was a decent result to begin the season, as they extended their unbeaten run against their opponents, but a first win of the season will be the next goal for Sivas.
Manager Bulent Uygun has enjoyed success against Kayserispor since taking over in January, winning both matches against them last season, and he will be confident of another positive result.
The Braves head into this affair in fine form, having remained unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, which will leave them the required confidence.
Team News
© Reuters
Kayserispor will be without Ali Karimi, who is sidelined with a ligament injury, and Majid Hosseini, who is out with an ankle injury.
Thirty-two-year-old centre-back Julian Jeanvier is also expected to miss the match due to an injury sustained last month.
Sivasspor will continue to be without long-term absentee Mehmet Albayrak, who is recovering from a knee injury that could keep him out until 2025.
Queensy Menig and Samba Camara are also sidelined, with muscle and knee injuries respectively.
Kayserispor possible starting lineup:
Piri; Attamah, Kocaman, Jeanvier, Carole; Shukurov, Ozbek; Morte, Bourabia, Mane; Bahoken
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Nikolic; Basyigit, Sundberg, Radakovic; Paluli, Ciftci; Pritchard, Turgunboev, Charisis, Bassan; Manaj
We say: Kayserispor 1-2 Sivasspor
Sivasspor hold the advantage going into this match, having already played a competitive fixture and boasting superior recent form compared to Kayserispor - however, we expect the home side to make it difficult as they have a point to prove in front of the home fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
