Karagumruk vs. Caykur Rizespor – News and Probable Lineups

Fatih Karagumruk will face Caykur Rizespor at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Sunday afternoon, aiming for a win that could revitalize their dwindling chances of staying in the Turkish Super Lig for the next season.

Stuck at the bottom of the standings for a significant part of the season, the Black Red see the seven-point gap to safety as a challenge still within reach; however, achieving it will demand a consistency they have seldom demonstrated this season, beginning with a match where they have a strong historical record at home.

Match overview

Returning to the top tier has been tough for Karagumruk, who have faced issues with stability throughout the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, the hiring of Aleksandar Stanojevic has occasionally shown glimpses of progress.

The Black Red pulled off one of the most surprising results of the season when they triumphed over Fenerbahce with a score of 2-0, yet they failed to capitalize on that victory; instead, they suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Kayserispor in their next game, during which they were reduced to ten men after Matias Kranevitter was dismissed in the 37th minute.

This setback concluded a three-match unbeaten streak across all competitions that included two wins and one draw, featuring two league fixtures that resulted in one win and one draw, with Stanojevic now aiming to regroup; a return to their home ground could provide a much-needed lift.

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium has recently developed into a solid stronghold for Karagumruk, as they remain unbeaten in their last three Super Lig matches there, securing two wins and a draw, which is promising ahead of this matchup against an opponent they have historically fared well against at home.

Karagumruk has claimed victory in all four of their home encounters with Rizespor, scoring seven goals and maintaining clean sheets in their past three meetings.

Rizespor arrives in Istanbul after a long hiatus of over three weeks, as their previously scheduled match against Samsunspor was postponed before the international break due to the hosts’ commitments in Europe.

This extra time has given them an opportunity to reflect on a narrow 1-0 loss to Trabzonspor, which ended their three-match winning streak in the league and interrupted a four-game unbeaten run consisting of three wins and one draw.

The goal conceded in that match also concluded a sequence of three consecutive clean sheets in the Super Lig, although head coach Recep Ucar may consider the defeat a minor setback, with the focus now on bouncing back immediately at a venue that has historically posed difficulties for them.

The Sparrowhawks have lost their last two away fixtures, although these losses were against strong competition in Trabzonspor, in the league, and Besiktas in the Turkish Cup. Prior to these matches, they had managed three unbeaten away contests, including a victory over Kasimpasa following draws with Genclerbirligi and Istanbul Basaksehir.

Team News

Karagumruk will be without Joao Camacho, who has been out with an injury since November, while Kranevitter is suspended following his dismissal in the last match.

Sam Larsson, Davide Biraschi, and Shavy Babicka will require late fitness assessments to evaluate their availability for Sunday, with Daniele Verde also regarded as doubtful.

Stanojevic is likely to depend on Tiago Cukur to spearhead the attack again, despite the striker managing only one goal in league play this season, while Daniel Johnson is expected to continue in midfield following his introduction for Kranevitter after the red card in the previous match.

On the other hand, Rizespor will continue to be without defender Husniddin Alikulov, ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury sustained in January, while Casper Hojer is also uncertain for this fixture.

However, the visitors will welcome back key midfielder Qazim Laci, who was unavailable for the last match due to a suspension and should provide creativity to their midfield.

Karagumruk probable starting XI:

Grbic; Esgaio, Lichnoxy, Cinar, Mladenovic; Elmaz, Johnson; Serginho, Ozcan, Kalayci; Shaving

Caykur Rizespor probable starting XI:

Fly; Shovel, Cork, Acaydin, Orange; Antalya; Michaela, Laci, Olaoyin, Mebude; Sowe

Historical trends and home performance favor Karagumruk leading into this match, yet the loss to Trabzonspor does not suffice to suggest that Rizespor has lost their recent form, and with that considered, a draw seems a reasonable outcome for both sides.