Sivasspor get their 2023-23 Turkish Super Lig campaign underway when they go head to head with Samsunspor at the New Sivas 4 Eylul Stadium on Sunday.
Having failed to win their last five games against the hosts, Samsunspor could not have asked for a tougher challenge on their return to the top flight for the first time since 2012.
Match preview
© Reuters
Sivasspor endured another forgettable campaign in Turkey last year as they finished 12th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone.
The Yigidolar Yigidos lost 17 of their 36 matches while claiming 11 wins and eight draws to collect 41 points, their lowest point tally since their return to the top flight six years ago.
However, Sivasspor did enjoy a solid run in the Turkish Cup, where they reached the semi-finals before suffering a 3-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Fenerbahce.
Servet Cetin's men have shown promise in pre-season, where they went unbeaten in their six friendly schedules, even with teams such as Istanbulspor, Sumqayit and Antalyaspor on their calendar.
Sivasspor wrapped up their preparations for the new campaign last Friday, when they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Kayserispor, with Yunus Emre Konak and Clinton N'Jie getting on the scoresheet.
On the other hand, Samsunspor continued their steady improvement since promotion from the 3. Lig in 2020 as they finished first in the second tier last season to confirm their return to the Super Lig.
Huseyin Eroglu's side picked up 75 points from their 35 matches to finish with a seven-point cushion over runners-up Rizespor and secure their return to the top flight since 2012.
Samsunspor wrapped up their pre-season in style as they thrashed Bodrumspor 4-0 on July 28 courtesy of goals from Moryke Fofana, Douglas Tanque and a brace from Baris Alici all in the second half.
This capped off a solid preparation for their return to the top flight as they picked up three wins in their four friendly matches, with a 3-2 loss against Konyaspor on July 13 being the exception.
However, Sunday's game pits Samsunspor against an opposing side who they have failed to beat in their previous five attempts, losing three and claiming two draws since December 2011.
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Team News
Sivasspor will have to cope without veteran striker Max Gradel, who recently completed a move to Gaziantep, bringing an end to his three-year stint with the club.
Gradel was a standout player for the Yigidolar Yigidos last season, registering 12 goal involvements in the league while also netting four goals in five Turkish Cup games.
New arrival Emrah Bassan is expected to make his debut for the home side as is centre-back Achilleas Poungouras, who recently completed a move from Panathinaikos.
Samsunspor recently completed the signing of midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Swansea City and the Cameroon international could be handed his debut this weekend.
On the injury front, the newcomers will begin the new campaign without experienced forward Gaetan Laura, who has been sidelined since picking up a foot injury back in April.
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Sasal; Osmanpasa, Poungouras, Ciftci; Camara, Arslan, Bassan, Charisis; Musa, N'Jie, Alonso
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Yavru, Ozturk, Gonul, Satka; Kahraman, Ntcham, Bennasser; Aydogdu, Sagat, Fofana
We say: Sivasspor 2-0 Samsunspor
Sivasspor are unbeaten in their last five games against Samsunspor and it is hard to see that changing this weekend. The visitors have made some shrewd summer signings, but we fancy the hosts coming away with all three points in front of their home supporters.
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