Trabzonspor will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to six competitive matches when they face Samsunspor in Thursday's Turkish Super Lig contest.
The visitors, meanwhile, will have the chance to claim consecutive victories after edging out Fatih Karagumruk in their most recent outing.
Match preview
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Since losing to Kayserispor at the start of December, Trabzonspor have gone on to win four and drawn one of their last five matches across all competitons.
They began that fine run of form with wins over Corum FK and Gaziantep in the cup and league respectively, before they were aware of a 3-0 victory against Istanbulspor after the opposition's president took his team off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision.
Although Trabzonspor's run of wins was ended by draw against Istanbul Basaksehir, they returned to winning ways at the weekend, with Edin Visca netting the decisive goal in a narrow 1-0 win over Ankaragucu.
Having won 10, drawn three and lost five of their 18 Turkish Super Lig games, Trabzonspor are currently sitting in third position and one point clear of fourth-placed Besiktas.
They will now turn their attention to their first meeting with Samsunspor since claiming a 3-0 win in a Turkish Cup tie in December 2022.
While Trabzonspor occupy a European place, Samsunspor are languishing in the bottom four after winning five, drawing three and losing 10 of their 18 league matches.
Samsunspor may be fighting for their top-flight status, but they have shown a significant improvement in the last couple of months, recovering from an eight-game winless start to the season to winning five of their last nine league matches (D1, L3).
The most recent of those victories took place at the weekend when Ercan Kara came off the bench to score the only goal in a 1-0 home win against Fatih Karagumruk, moving his side level on points with Konayspor, who sit just outside the relegation zone.
Although Markus Gisdol's side have started to build momentum, they have still work to do on their travels, having collected just four points from their nine away league games.
After losing their last five head-to-head away meetings in all competitions, Samsunspor will enter Thursday's contest with hopes of beating Trabzonspor in an away game for the first time since September 2002.
Team News
Trabzonspor are expected to be without Umut Bozok, Stefano Denswil, Mislav Orsic and Ognjen Bakic, while there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Abdulkadir Omur and and Tonio Teklic.
Trezeguet and Nicolas Pepe are currently away with their respective national sides preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
After seeing his side claim a narrow victory at the weekend, Avci could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Thursday's contest.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Zeki Yavru and Gaetan Laura, while Nanu, Olivier Ntcham and Kingsley Schindler are on international duty.
Flavien Tait dropped down to the bench at the weekend, but the midfielder could be recalled for Thursday's league outing.
Kara is also in contention to start against Trabzonspor after he came off the bench to net the winner in Saturday's win over Fatih Karagumruk.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Stryger Larsen, Baniya, Benkovic, Elmali; Ozdemir, Mendy; Visca, Bakasetas, Fountas; Onuachu
Samsunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Tan, Satka, Ozturk, Gonul; Ait Bennasser, Tait; Holse, Dimata, Kilinc; Kara
We say: Trabzonspor 2-0 Samsunspor
Samsunspor may have shown signs of improvement in the last couple of months, but they have still struggled to pick up points on the road.
We think that an in-form Trabzonspor side will take advantage of Samsunspor's homesickness to claim their fifth win in six competitive matches.
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