A first Super Lig title since 1984 beckons for Trabzonspor, as they look to stretch their advantage at the top of the table ahead of the final stretch.
Trabzonspor cannot secure the league title when they visit Adana Demirspor on Saturday afternoon, but a victory will leave the league leaders within touching distance of the championship.
Match preview
© Reuters
While the big three have unquestionably under-performed in Turkey this season, the performances of Trabzonspor should not go unnoticed as history awaits the Black Sea Storm.
Imperious for much of the campaign, Trabzonspor have lost just twice all season, a whopping five games less than second-placed Fenerbahce.
Winners in 21 of their 33 Super Lig matches so far, Trabzonspor may have had the league wrapped up by now had they managed to convert some of their 10 draws into victories.
Only one side in the Super Lig have drawn more games than Trabzonspor this season, with an inability to turn one point into three perhaps the biggest flaw in their otherwise fantastic campaign.
Astonishingly, the league leaders are currently four matches without a win, as their title charge faces a slight wobble before the end of the season.
A first championship in just under 30 years still looks likely for Trabzonspor, but ending their mini-winless run will no doubt be the biggest target for the Black Sea Storm this weekend.
However, their task is set to be a difficult one, as Trabzonspor will face an Adana Demirspor side still hopeful of qualifying for Europe.
Two points behind fourth-placed Istanbul Basaksehir, Adana Demirspor have left themselves with a great opportunity to finish inside a continental berth.
Patchy form has plagued Adana Demirspor in recent weeks, as the Blue Lightnings have managed just two wins in their previous seven league matches.
Hoping to avoid the result the last time the pair met earlier in the season, Adana Demirspor suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Trabzonspor all the way back in December.
Another victory for the leaders will essentially wrap up the league title for Trabzonspor, as they begin to dream of a famous Super Lig crown.
- L
- L
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Unsurprisingly for those who have followed his career for some time, Mario Balotelli will miss the weekend fixture due to a red card suspension.
Part of Adana Demirspor's strong league form this season has been down to Balotelli, who has netted 12 goals and registered a further four assists so far this year.
In his place, former Middlesbrough man Britt Assombalonga is expected to lead the line for Adana Demirspor.
While their recent form has not looked like that of champions-elect, Trabzonspor have been battling a mini-injury crisis within their squad and will be without three key players this weekend.
Huseyin Turkmen is currently nursing a muscle problem and will miss the rest of the month, as will Anthony Nwakaeme who continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.
There could be a return in sight for Anders Trondsen, however if the forward is to be involved this weekend, it will likely come as a substitute off the bench.
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Muric; Svensson, Akaydin, Sanuc, Rassoul; Inler, Stambouli; Vargas, Belhanda, Akgun; Assombalonga
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Peres; Denswil, Hugo, Kaplan; Tokoz; Visca, Hamsik, Bakasetas, Ozdemir; Cornelius
We say: Adana Demirspor 1-2 Trabzonspor
A place in the history books is just around the corner for this Trabzonspor squad, who will become the first set of players to deliver a league title for the club in close to three decades.
It is a case of when not if now, with three points against a stubborn, but beatable, Adana Demirspor the most likely outcome.
