Fenerbache is looking for their second win as they visit Samsunspor in the Super Lig. Last week, the hosts had a positive debut in the Super Lig, picking up a crucial away point. The guests defeated Gaziantep FK to win their ninth straight opening weekend match.
Preview (Samsunspor vs Fenerbache)
Samsunspor won the TFF First Division last season with 78 points. They finished 10 points ahead of Rizespor, who took second place. It ended a 10-season absence from the Super Lig. With 70 goals scored and just 26 conceded, the hosts had the greatest offensive and defensive records during the season with 23 victories, nine ties, and just four losses. Huseyin Eroglu’s team made a strong second-half comeback against Sivasspor after falling behind after only 15 minutes last week, and they were ultimately rewarded for their efforts with a goal from Rick van Drongelen 10 minutes from time.
The Turkish giants, on the other hand, present a far tougher test for them. They will likely find themselves limited to counterattacks as their opponents control the match’s flow. Fenerbahce, meantime, finished the 2022–23 Super Lig season in second position for the second consecutive year. They’ll be out to improve on that finish this time around. Last season, the visitors finished with 80 points. It was eight points less than eventual league champions Galatasaray and two points more than their arch-rivals Besiktas.
Fenerbahce had a record of 25 wins, 5 ties, and 6 losses while being the league’s top scorer with 87 goals under the direction of former manager Jorge Jesus, who has since joined Saudi Pro League Club Al Hilal. Ismail Kartal, the team’s new manager, will now have to find a way to get them back to the top of the league. He got off to a good start, winning his first league game and sealing his team’s spot in the playoffs. Fenerbahce has won all five of its competitive games this season. They have scored two goals or more in each game, and keeping three clean sheets during that span. They enter this one as the favorite.
Team News
Van Drongelen, Alim Ozturk, and Zeki Yavru made comprised the three-man backline last week against Sivasspor and should do the same against this opponent. Last week, Marius Mouandilmadji was substituted for Gaetan Laura early in the second half. Serdar Aziz and Emre Mor will not be available for Kartal until the beginning of next month due to injuries.
Lincoln’s ACL injury prevented him from playing in any of their preseason or Champions League qualification games, and sources indicate that he may be out until December. Although the season is still in its early stages, Fenerbahce’s performances in the Champions League qualifying matches and last week’s league game have been impressive. They are now scoring goals for pleasure, and we anticipate that they will get a couple more in this game as well.
Samsunspor 0 – 3 Fenerbache
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