Caykur Rizespor and Hatayspor meet for an end-of-season dead rubber at the Caykur Didi Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Turkish Super Lig.
The hosts sealed their top-flight status with a few games to spare following a strong run of form in the past few weeks, while Hatayspor will have to start planning for life in second tier.
Featured betting offer: 50/1 on either side to win the Champions League final
If you're reading this preview, you're no doubt aware that Europe's biggest club game takes place on Saturday night, with PSG and Inter doing battle for the Champions League title.
Whoever you fancy to win, licensed UK bookies Betano have got you covered. They're giving out odds of 50/1 on either side to win the match, when you sign up for a new account ahead of kick-off.
Get 50/1 on PSG or Inter at Betano
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet max £1 on Paris Saint-Germain OR Inter Milan - Match Betting - 90mins by 20:00 on 31.05.2025. Get enhanced odds paid in Free Bets, 7 days expiry. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Commercial disclaimer: Clicking on the link above may result in us receiving a payment for referring you.
Match preview
© Imago
While there is nothing concrete riding on this game, there is still a lot to be decided when it comes to the placings in the Super Lig this season.
The title, the European qualifiers, and the relegated clubs have all been decided in Turkey, but there are a cluster of clubs in mid-table who could end the season either just outside the top six, or narrowly above the drop zone.
Rizespor are one of the clubs, as Ilhan Palut's men start the weekend 11th, but could end the season anywhere between seventh and 14th.
Four wins from their previous six games make them one of the favourites to finish in the top half, and that excellent streak has long ended any fears of relegation, as Rizespor now sit nine points clear of the dotted line.
Palut's side even scuppered Besiktas's hopes of finishing third last weekend, going to Istanbul and winning 2-1 on the road, and that should fill Rizespor with plenty of confidence heading into this season finale, against a club whose relegation has been confirmed, and who they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
© Imago
After a heroic season last year that saw Hatayspor survive relegation after still feeling the aftereffects of the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of the region and forced them to play their home games over three hours away in Mersin, the club has had no such joy this time around.
Hatayspor will play in the 1. Lig next season as their relegation has been confirmed for quite some time, sitting 16 points adrift of safety, and only above an Adana Demirspor side who are battling to stay in existence, with a six-game losing run between March and May proving to be their undoing.
Murat Sahin's side have given their supporters a lift in recent weeks, though, thrashing Adana 5-0 on the road, before a stunning 4-2 win over Fenerbahce at their temporary home venue last weekend.
It is form on the road that has been fatal to their chances of staving off relegation, though, because despite the win in Adana earlier this month, Hatayspor are still yet to reach double figures for points across 17 away matches this season.
Team News
© Imago
Rizespor will be without Tarik Cetin and Giannis Papanikolaou due to injury for this season finale.
It could be the last game Ali Sowe plays in a Rizespor shirt, and the Rostov loanee will be a huge miss if they are not able to make his move permanent, because the Gambian has scored 17 Super Lig goals this season, ranking him fifth in the scoring charts.
Carlos Strandberg will return for Hatayspor after a two-game ban following his red card against Goztepe, but the visitors will be without captain Kamil Corekci after he was booked for the eighth time this season in the win over Fener.
Attacker Rui Pedro will be the only injury absentee for the away side, who will have top scorer Bilal Boutobba available, in what could be his final game before he opts for ventures new at a higher level, following 12 goals this season.
Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Sahin, Mocsi, Akaydin, Hojer; Pala, Olawoyin, Varesanovic; Ghezzal, Sowe, Zeqiri
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Bekaj; Alici, Yilmaz, Kilama, Demir, Sertel; Matondo, Saglam; Okoronkwo, Strandberg, Boutobba
We say: Caykur Rizespor 2-0 Hatayspor
Hatayspor have responded to their relegation in a stoic manner, but their away form has been woeful for most of the campaign, and a 13th defeat on the road this season looks likely.
Rizespor are only playing for pride themselves, but they have won four of the last six, winning away at Besiktas last time out, one week on from putting six past Goztepe, so confidence should be flowing.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
