Fenerbahce vs Caykur Rizespor: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News
Fenerbahce host Caykur Rizespor at the Chobani Stadium on Friday evening. The home side can move top of the Super Lig table with a win.
Form and context
Fenerbahce have won their last three matches in all competitions. Their latest result was a 4-0 victory over Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Stadium.
N’Golo Kante opened that game before half time. Dorgeles Nene and Talisca also found the net, with Talisca scoring twice.
The Yellow Canaries have 19 wins from 29 league games. They have lost once and drawn nine times, accumulating 66 points and sitting second, two points behind Galatasaray.
Caykur Rizespor arrive in improved form. They have won their last two matches, including a 2-1 comeback at home to Gaziantep.
Mohamed Bayo scored first for Gaziantep at the 23rd minute. Qazim Laci and Ali Sowe struck late to complete the turnaround.
Rizespor won five of seven after a poor December–February run. They lost away to Trabzonspor and Fatih Karagumruk in that sequence.
Standings and away form
Rizespor sit eighth with 36 points from 29 games. They are three points behind seventh-placed Samsunspor.
However, the visitors have struggled on the road. They have lost three consecutive away matches and have managed one away win since November.
Head-to-head
Rizespor have not beaten Fenerbahce since September 2018. The visitors have lost the last 13 meetings between the sides.
The previous Rizespor win came by a 3-0 scoreline in that 2018 encounter.
Team news
Match preview notes several absentees for the hosts. Jayden Oosterwolde misses this match due to a one-game suspension after picking up enough yellow cards.
Marco Asensio was absent from the recent match with a muscle problem. Milan Skriniar is carrying a groin issue.
Ismail Yuksek will miss a third straight game. Edson Alvarez remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in February.
Rizespor will again be without Khuskiddin Alikulov. The Uzbekistan defender has not played since leaving the Goztepe match injured on January 19.
Aside from Alikulov, Caykur Rizespor head coach Recep Ucar can select from a largely fit squad.
Likely starting XIs
- Fenerbahce (probable): Ederson; Semedo, Demir, Soyuncu, Brown; Kante, Nene; Guendouzi, Akturkoglu, Talisca; Cherif.
- Caykur Rizespor (probable): Fofana; Hojer, Sagnan, Akaydin, Papa; Augusto, Antalyali; Mihaila, Laci, Olawoyin; Sowe.
Predictions
Filmogaz.com predictions favour the hosts. Fenerbahce are strong at this stage of the season and have superior recent form.
Rizespor’s poor away record and the long head-to-head run make an upset unlikely. Our forecast is a 3-0 victory for Fenerbahce.
What to watch
- Whether Fenerbahce can leapfrog Galatasaray with three points.
- Rizespor’s ability to break their 13-match losing sequence versus Fenerbahce.
- Impact of key absences, especially at full-back and in midfield.
