Gaziantep vs. Trabzonspor – News and Probable Lineups

After experiencing their first league loss of the year, Trabzonspor faces Gaziantep at the Gaziantep Stadium during round 23 of the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.

On the other hand, Gaziantep has not won in the last 14 encounters against Trabzonspor and will enter the weekend determined to end a frustrating 17-year streak in this matchup while aiming for back-to-back home wins for the first time since September.

Match overview

Gaziantep’s performance has been inconsistent in the new year, highlighted by a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Kocaelispor when they met at the Yildiz Entegre Kocaeli Stadium last Sunday.

Following a red card for Nazim Sangare shortly after halftime, Kocaelispor took advantage of the extra player, with Daniel Agyei, Serdar Dursun, and Rigoberto Rivas all scoring in a commanding team performance.

Before that setback, Gaziantep recorded a 5-1 victory over 1. Lig side Keçiorengucu on February 5, climbing to second place in Group C of the Turkiye Kupasi, and subsequently earned a 2-1 comeback win against Kasimpasa, ending a streak of seven league matches without a victory.

Last season, having finished just above the relegation zone, Burak Yilmaz’s squad has firmed up in mid-table with 28 points from 22 matches, ranking ninth in the Super Lig and 10 points clear of the relegation spots.

While Gaziantep has performed well at home—boasting two wins and one draw in three matches at the Gaziantep Stadium this year—they now face a formidable opponent they have struggled against, having not won in their last 14 tries since January 2009, with eight losses and six draws.

In contrast, Trabzonspor faced their first Super Lig defeat since the year began last Saturday, falling 3-2 to title contenders Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes Spor Complex Papara Park.

After an exhilarating first half that ended 2-2, Marco Asensio scored the decisive goal in the 48th minute, allowing Fenerbahce to secure their fourth consecutive win while remaining unbeaten in the league.

Trabzonspor had recorded seven matches without a loss across all competitions prior to this match, following a 4-1 defeat to Galatasaray in the Super Kupa semi-finals in January. They achieved one draw and five wins, including back-to-back triumphs over Istanbulspor and Fethiyespor in the Turkiye Kupasi, where they currently sit third on the table.

Having ended the previous season in seventh place in the Super Lig, Fatih Tekke’s team is on track to secure European football this year, currently third in the standings with 45 points from 22 matches, five points ahead of fifth-placed Besiktas, just outside the Conference League qualifying position.

A key aspect of Trabzonspor’s successful league campaign has been their strong attack, ranking third for goals scored so far with 43. Paul Onuachu leads the Golden Boot race with 16 goals in 19 matches (18 starts).

Team News

Gaziantep will be without midfielder Ali Mevran Ablak and French defender Salem M’Bakata, who are both sidelined due to cruciate ligament injuries.

Additionally, veteran midfielder Badou N’Diaye hasn’t played in the last 10 matches since getting injured in December, meaning he will not feature this weekend.

Yilmaz will also have to manage without experienced defender Sangare, who is facing a three-match suspension after receiving a straight red card against Kocaelispor in the last match.

For Trabzonspor, Oleksandr Zubkov has been absent for the last three matches due to a muscle injury sustained against Antalyaspor in January and will not travel to the Gaziantep Stadium.

He is joined on the injury list by Bosnian midfielder Edin Visca, who has been out since sustaining a serious foot injury against Istanbul Basaksehir in November.

Gaziantep probable starting XI:

gorge; Sorescu, Sanuc, Kizildag, Rodrigues; Kozlowski, Ozcicek; Dragus, Maxim, Lungoyi; bayou

Trabzonspor probable starting XI:

Onana; Pina, Nwaiwu, Batagov, Lovik; Oulai, Jabol-Folcarelli; Augusto, Muci, Eskihellac; Onuachu

Following last weekend’s loss, Gaziantep and Trabzonspor will enter Sunday’s match eager to bounce back and quickly return to winning ways. Tekke’s side has historically dominated this fixture, and while Gaziantep is expected to put forth a strong effort at home, we anticipate the visitors may do just enough to secure all three points.