Göztepe SK vs Çorum Belediyespor – News and Probable Lineups

Goztepe SK aims to extend their winning streak as they welcome Corum Belediyespor to ISONEM Park Gursel Aksel Stadium on Sunday for a fixture in the Turkish Super Lig.

After a tough beginning, Stanimir Stoilov’s team has bounced back with consecutive wins against Eyupspor and Kocaelispor. However, their performance at home remains a concern, with this match posing a challenge against a visiting side arriving in good shape, having claimed four victories in their last five league games.

Match overview

Goztepe enters this ninth round positioned 13th, accumulating nine points over eight matches, which includes two wins, three draws, and three losses. Recent displays indicate that they may be finding their form after a rocky start to the season.

Their most recent match resulted in a 2-1 away triumph against Kocaelispor, with a corner taken by Juan leading to an own goal by Show in the 24th minute. Novatus Miroshi then extended their lead in the 77th minute, and despite Berkan Kutlu converting a penalty for the hosts five minutes later, Goztepe managed to hold on for their second successive league win.

This victory followed a dominant 4-0 win over Eyupspor, ending a six-match winless run in the league this season, which included three draws and three defeats, alleviating some pressure on Stoilov.

However, the Bulgarian coach recognized post-Eyupspor match that his team had yet to reach their best, though he commended his players for their organization, intensity, and commitment over the full 90 minutes, suggesting that collective discipline has been critical to their resurgence.

Nonetheless, Goztepe must enhance their home performance if they wish to ascend the standings, having managed just one point from their initial three home league matches, with a draw against Caykur Rizespor (2-2) alongside defeats to Gaziantep and Genclerbirligi.

Previous encounters with this opponent serve as a caution to the hosts. Though this will be their first match in the top flight, Goztepe hasn’t succeeded in overcoming Corum in their two meetings in the second division during the 2023-24 season, one ending in a draw and the other in a loss.

Corum, on the other hand, occupies sixth place with 13 points from eight games, boasting four victories, one draw, and three losses, placing them four points clear of Goztepe and solidly in the upper half of the table.

Burak Yilmaz’s squad enters the encounter on the back of two consecutive wins, having beaten Gaziantep 3-0 away prior to narrowly defeating Caykur Rizespor 2-1 at home five days later, bringing their total to four wins from the last five league matches, with just one defeat in that stretch.

Corum’s recent attacking display has been particularly noteworthy, with the team netting 14 goals over their past five league games, including a resounding 5-1 away victory over Samsunspor and a 3-0 win against Eyupspor.

Furthermore, Corum’s away form offers additional optimism, as they have secured seven points from four away league matches, with two victories, one draw, and one defeat, while their 12 away goals position them among the league’s most effective attacking units.

Team News

For Goztepe, several players may miss out on the match against Corum, with goalkeeper Luka Gugeshashvili reportedly not included in the squad. Additionally, Furkan Bayir, Ibrahim Sabra, Allan Godoi, and Ogun Bayrak are also anticipated to be sidelined due to injuries.

Sabra is struggling with an ankle ligament issue, while Godoi has a medial collateral ligament injury, and Bayir is in recovery from a knee problem.

Stoilov is likely to continue relying on Juan, Goztepe’s top scorer with five goals, alongside Andre Henrique in the attack, with Janderson providing another option in the forward line.

Corum will be without Serdar Saatci and forward Fredy due to injuries, with the latter contending with a broken toe, while Emircan Gurluk’s status remains uncertain.

The visitors will look to their attack spearheaded by Alexandros Kyziridis and Jesus Ramirez, both of whom have tallied four league goals this season.

Goztepe SK probable starting XI:

Ozcimen; Altikardes, Sundberg, Bokele; Kurtulan, Rhaldney, Miroshi, Akonnor; Antunes; Juan, Henrique

Çorum Belediyespor probable starting XI:

Felipe; Penetra, Soyuncu, Smolcic; Sazdagi, Ozdemir, Diomande, Borza; Kyziridis, Under; Ramirez

Goztepe’s back-to-back victories have instilled confidence, but their home record and defensive absences make securing a third consecutive win a challenging prospect, especially against a Corum side that has demonstrated significant attacking prowess lately.

With both teams carrying momentum in attack and neither defense appearing particularly solid, a draw with goals from both sides seems probable.