Samsunspor vs Goztepe SK – News and Probable Lineups

In a crucial match to secure a top-five finish in the Turkish Super Lig for the first time in over fifty years, Goztepe SK visits the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium to challenge Samsunspor in the final match of the season on Saturday.

The Red Lightning saw their chance for a fifth consecutive league win dashed last weekend after suffering a disappointing loss against Istanbul Basaksehir, while the visitors achieved a narrow victory at home over Gaziantep.

Match overview

Although Samsunspor had been enjoying a commendable streak in the closing weeks of the season, they faced a reality check last Saturday with a 3-0 defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Goals from Eldor Shomurodov and Yusuf Sari in the first half put Basaksehir firmly in control at the Fatih Terim Stadium, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev scoring the third goal from close range in the 78th minute to complete a commanding team performance.

Samsunspor had previously secured four wins in their last four Super Lig matches, overcoming Eyupspor, Besiktas, and Alanyaspor in their last three fixtures in April, before delivering a remarkable 4-1 upset against champions Galatasaray on May 2.

Thorsten Fink’s team has found it challenging to replicate the form from last season that led to an impressive third-place finish, but they can still take pride in another solid campaign that ensured consecutive top-half finishes.

Samsunspor has recorded 12 wins and 12 draws across their 33 matches, amassing 48 points and currently sitting in seventh place, nine points clear of 10th-placed Alanyaspor as they head into their last match of the season.

In the western region, Goztepe maintained their strong form at the end of the season last Saturday, winning 2-1 against a determined Gaziantep side at the Gursel Aksel Stadium.

An own goal from Myenty Abena in the fourth minute gave the hosts an ideal start, and although Mohamed Bayo equalized for Gaziantep in the 56th minute, Brazilian striker Jeh capitalized by heading in Alexis Antunes’s corner in the 80th minute to secure all three points for Goztepe.

Coming off an impressive eighth-place finish in last season’s Super Lig table, the Izmir club has enjoyed a remarkable league campaign, finding themselves on the verge of securing a top-five spot for the first time since the 1969-1970 season, where they finished fifth.

Stanimir Stoilov’s squad has accumulated 14 wins and 13 draws from their 33 Super Lig matches, gathering 55 points and currently occupying fifth place in the standings, one point ahead of sixth-placed Basaksehir and four points behind fourth-placed Besiktas, who occupy the Conference League qualifying position.

While Goztepe aims to build on their previous success and finish the season positively, their away results have been disappointing, with only two victories from their last nine matches on the road since a 2-1 win against Alanyaspor in November.

Team News

Samsunspor will be without Swedish defender Joe Mendes, who is serving a one-match suspension after reaching the yellow card limit with his booking against Basaksehir last Saturday.

In terms of injuries, Fink will not have the services of Ivory Coast forward Jaures Assoumou, who has been sidelined for the last 13 matches due to a knee issue sustained against Gaziantep on March 1.

Joining him on the injury list is teenage defender Bedirhan Cetin, who continues his extended recovery from a serious knee injury he suffered back in August.

Goztepe is still missing the Turkish duo of midfielder Izzet Malak and 23-year-old defender Erkam Komur, who have been suspended by the Turkish Football Federation for their involvement in a betting scandal.

Allan Godoi had to leave the field due to injury midway through the second half against Gaziantep, making him unavailable for the encounter at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.

Samsunspor probable starting XI:

Whisker; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson, Makoumbou; Kayan, Coulibaly, Holse, Ndiaye; Marius

Goztepe SK probable starting XI:

Lis; Bokele, Heliton, Altikardes; Cherni, Miroshi, Mohammed, Kurtulan; Antunes, Santos, Janderson

Samsunspor will aim to recover from last weekend’s disappointing performance against Basaksehir on their home ground, where they remain unbeaten in their last five league matches since the beginning of March. With Basaksehir closely trailing them, Goztepe knows they must secure maximum points this weekend as they push for a significant finish, but with only one win in their previous seven matches, they may settle for a draw at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium.