Rizespor vs Trabzonspor Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper gander at this Turkish Super Lig showdown. On paper, this looks like a mismatch of epic proportions - Trabzonspor sitting pretty in 2nd place with 17 points, while Rizespor are languishing down in 12th with just 8 points to show for their efforts.

Now, I know what you're thinking - Rizespor have actually got a decent home record against these lot historically (3 wins, 1 draw from 4 home meetings), but form is temporary and class is permanent, as they say. And right now, there's a gulf in class between these two sides.

Rizespor have been proper Jekyll and Hyde this season. They turned up with a brilliant 5-2 hammering of Antalyaspor away from home, but then couldn't back it up, losing 1-2 at home to Kasimpasa. Their home form is shocking really - only winning 20% of their home games and leaking 1.80 goals per game on their own patch. That's not gonna cut it against the big boys.

Trabzonspor, on the other hand, are flying high. They've just smashed Kayserispor 4-0 and put four past Fatih Karagümrük too. Their away form is class - winning two-thirds of their away games and averaging 1.67 goals per game on the road. They're solid at the back too, keeping clean sheets in half their matches.

The stats don't lie here. Trabzonspor are much more clinical - averaging 5.12 shots on target per game with 53% accuracy away from home. Rizespor? Only 3.29 shots on target with a pathetic 18.8% accuracy at home. That's night and day stuff, mate.

Sure, Rizespor might fancy their chances given their head-to-head home record, but the current form gap is massive. Trabzonspor are scoring for fun and keeping things tight at the back, while Rizespor are inconsistent and leaky.

Key Points:

• Trabzonspor sit 2nd in the table with 17 points, Rizespor are 12th with 8 points

• Trabzonspor have won 66.67% of their away games this season

• Rizespor have only won 20% of their home games

• Trabzonspor average 1.67 goals away from home, Rizespor concede 1.80 at home

• Despite Rizespor's good H2H home record (3-1-0), current form heavily favors Trabzonspor

• Trabzonspor have kept clean sheets in 50% of their recent games

The odds of 2.45 for the away win look proper value to me. Trabzonspor's form is too good to ignore, and they should have enough quality to see off a Rizespor side that's been inconsistent at best this season.