Samsunspor vs Goztepe SK: Turkish Super Lig Season Finale Preview

Goztepe SK will visit the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium on Saturday for their final Turkish Super Lig match of the season, with the objective of securing a top-five finish for the first time in over 50 years. Their opponents, Samsunspor, will be looking to bounce back from a recent defeat and conclude their season on a positive note at home.

Goztepe's impressive late-season form has positioned them to potentially achieve a significant milestone. Meanwhile, Samsunspor, despite a commendable run of form earlier in the season, experienced a setback in their last outing.

Recent Form and League Standings

Samsunspor's four-match winning streak in the Super Lig was halted last weekend with a 3-0 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir. Goals from Eldor Shomurodov, Yusuf Sari, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev secured a dominant victory for Basaksehir. Prior to this, Samsunspor had defeated Eyupspor, Besiktas, Alanyaspor, and notably, champions Galatasaray. The club, managed by Thorsten Fink, currently sits seventh in the Super Lig table with 48 points from 33 games, ensuring another top-half finish. They are nine points clear of 10th-placed Alanyaspor.

Goztepe maintained their strong end to the season with a 2-1 home victory over Gaziantep. An early own goal from Myenty Abena gave them the lead, and after Gaziantep equalized, Jeh's 80th-minute header sealed all three points. This win places Goztepe fifth in the table with 55 points from 33 matches, one point ahead of Basaksehir and four points behind Besiktas, who occupy the Conference League qualifying spot. A top-five finish would be their best performance since the 1969-1970 season. However, their away form has been less consistent, with only two wins in their last nine away matches since November.

Team News and Injury Updates

Samsunspor will be without Swedish defender Joe Mendes, who is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. Forward Jaures Assoumou remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained in March, having missed the last 13 games. Teenage defender Bedirhan Cetin is also a long-term absentee due to a severe knee injury from August.

Goztepe will be missing midfielders Izzet Malak and defender Erkam Komur, both suspended by the Turkish Football Federation due to a betting scandal. Brazilian defender Allan Godoi is also ruled out of the trip to Samsun after being forced off with an injury during the match against Gaziantep.

Predicted Lineups

Samsunspor are expected to field a strong side as they look to finish their home campaign on a high.

Samsunspor possible starting lineup: Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson, Makoumbou; Kayan, Coulibaly, Holse, Ndiaye; Marius

Goztepe will be aiming to secure the vital points needed for their top-five ambition, despite some key absences.

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup: Lis; Bokele, Heliton, Altikardes; Cherni, Miroshi, Mohammed, Kurtulan; Antunes, Santos, Janderson

Match Prediction

Samsunspor will be eager to recover from their recent heavy defeat, especially playing at home where they have remained unbeaten in their last five league matches since the beginning of March. Goztepe, with a historic top-five finish within reach, understands the importance of securing maximum points. However, their recent away form, with just one win in their last seven matches on the road, suggests a challenging encounter. Given the stakes for Goztepe and Samsunspor's strong home record, a draw appears to be a plausible outcome.

Key facts

This match carries significant weight for Goztepe SK, as a top-five finish would represent their best league performance in over five decades, highlighting the impact of consistent late-season form. For Samsunspor, it's an opportunity to conclude a solid campaign with a strong home performance and bounce back from a recent defeat, demonstrating their resilience in the Turkish Super Lig.

Fuente: Sports Mole Football RSS – https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/samsunspor/preview/samsunspor-vs-goztepe-sk-prediction-team-news-lineups_597536.html