Alanyaspor vs Caykur Rizespor

Alanyaspor will welcome Caykur Rizespor to Alanya Oba Stadium on Saturday, looking to get off to a  bright start in the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig season.

Alanyaspor’s season opener was postponed after the Turkish Football Federation granted extra rest to clubs involved in European competition, a list that included their scheduled hosts, Fenerbahce.

Match preview

The Alanya-based side now begin their 2025-26 Super Lig campaign on home turf, buoyed by a strong finish to last season and encouraging pre-season form. 

Under Joao Pereira, who took charge in March, Alanyaspor closed 2024-25 unbeaten in five league games, recording three wins and two draws, while they won four of seven friendlies over the summer.

The Portuguese coach’s influence became evident late last term, guiding the club to safety with an eight-point cushion, a success he will be looking to build on, starting from Saturday’s home game against Rizespor.

Alanyaspor won their fixture 1-0 last season, extending their home record over the visitors in the Super Lig to five consecutive wins, and six matches without defeat.

Rizespor, who finished ninth in the Super Lig last season with 49 points, began the new campaign aiming to build on that success, despite their pre-season form offering little encouragement.

The Black Sea outfit failed to win any of their four summer friendlies, losing three and drawing one, while conceding nine goals and scoring just four. 

Those shortcomings were exposed on the opening weekend as they suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat, managing only one shot on target from 13 attempts despite enjoying 56% possession.

Now facing their first away trip of the season, Ilhan Palut’s men will be wary of last year’s travel record, which saw them lose five of their final six matches on the road.

Alanyaspor form (all competitions):

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

Caykur Rizespor form (all competitions):

Team News

Alanyaspor will be without last season’s leading scorer, Sergio Cordova, after the forward sealed a move to Swiss champions Young Boys. 

In his absence, the hosts will look to Hwang Ui-Jo, their second-highest scorer from last term with seven goals, to shoulder the attacking burden. 

They will also miss 22-year-old midfielder Buluthan Bulut, who remains sidelined with a long-term injury.

Rizespor have a fully fit squad, giving Palut the flexibility to experiment with his revamped lineup, though Ali Sowe is expected to remain as center-forward. 

Goalkeeper Erdem Canpolat, Albanian midfielder Qazim Laci, and Romanian winger Valentin Mihaila all made their competitive debuts in the opening match. 

Halil Dervisoglu, on loan from Galatasaray, featured off the bench, while Modibo Sagnan and Furkan Orak will be pushing for starts on Saturday.

Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:

Victor; Balkovec, Aliti, Yavuz; Ozdemir, Vilhena, Karaca, Jeanvier, Maestro, Keskin; Hwang

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Canpolat; Sahin, Akaydin, Mocsi, Hojer; Papanikolaou, Pala; Olawoyin, Laci, Mihaila; Sowe

We say: Alanyaspor 1-0 Caykur Rizespor

Alanyaspor will look to start the season on a positive note, and hosting Rizespor, who have struggled for consistency on the road, will leave them confident, combined with their solid home record against the visitors. 

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