Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Sivasspor and Eyupspor, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Gameweek three of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig campaign will see Sivasspor host Eyupspor at Yeni Sivas 4 Eylul Stadyumu on Saturday.
Both teams are unbeaten after the opening two matches, leaving them as part of the seven sides yet to taste defeat, while they have both picked up four points so far.
Match preview
© Reuters
Looking to build on their seventh-place finish from last season, Sivasspor have made a positive start to the new campaign – as a goalless draw with Trabzonspor at home in their opener was followed up with a 2-1 win over Kayserispor on the road.
Sivas went behind when Miguel Cardoso found the net for Kayserispor in the 14th minute, but they quickly restored parity via Uros Radakovic three minutes later before the defender completed his brace in the second half to turn the game around.
Despite being reduced to ten men after Ugur Ciftci was sent off for his second bookable offence in the 74th minute, the Braves held on to record their first victory of the season.
Next in line for Bulent Uygun‘s side is the challenge of Eyupspor, a side they will be meeting for the first time in history – while they will be looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run in the Super Lig.
The Braves are unbeaten in their last two league matches on home soil dating back to last season, while they have lost just one of the last six.
© Imago
Eyupspor secured their first-ever promotion to the top flight of Turkish league football after winning the 2023-24 1. Lig title, and they have not looked out of place in the opening two rounds of the current Super Lig season.
Arda Turan‘s men took the lead against Alanyaspor on matchday one but could not hold on to it, eventually settling for a 1-1 draw away from home.
However, the Istanbul side picked up their first top-flight victory, thrashing another newly-promoted team, Bodrum, 4-1 in their first ever home game in the Super Lig.
Still revelling in the euphoria of the win, Eyupspor will hope to extend their four-match unbeaten run on the road dating back to the Turkish 1. Lig last season.
Manager Turan will return to the dugout on Saturday after serving his suspension for the red card he received after an altercation with the referee against Alanyaspor.
Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Sivasspor form (all competitions):
Eyupspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Team News
© Reuters
Sivasspor will be without defender Ciftci, who is suspended following a red card received in their previous match.
Long-term absentee Mehmet Albayrak continues to recover from a knee injury that is expected to sideline him until 2025.
Recep Niyaz, who was forced off against Alanyaspor due to injury, missed Eyupspor’s match against Bodrum and remains a doubt for this week’s fixture.
Samu Saiz, despite starting from the bench in the first two matches, has scored more goals than any other player on the team, and his impressive form could earn him a starting place.
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Vural; Paluli, Basyigit, Radakovic, Camara; Charisis; Pritchard, Turgunboev, Bassan; Manaj
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Bingol, Yalcin, Claro, Meras; Midtsjo, Kutucu, Akbaba, Saiz, Bruno; Thiam
We say: Sivasspor 2-1 Eyupspor
Although Eyupspor have shown encouraging signs in their debut season in the top flight, it is hard to ignore Sivasspor’s recent form, their experience at this level, and the advantage of playing at home – which is why we believe the home side will be able to secure a win in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.