Trabzonspor v Kasimpasa: Preview & Confirmed line-ups

Trabzonspor take on Kasimpasa at home in their opening game of the season hoping to put behind their dismal 2015-16 campaign.

Ersun Yanal was recently appointed Trabzonspor head coach and he did not take long to put his stamp on the team.

Yanal brought in Lazio midfielder Onazi, Castillo from the MLS and got rid of Cavanda who joined Galatasaray.

The former Turkish national team manager has won the league title as a manager with Fenerbahce and is widely regarded as one of the brightest coaching talents in the country.

Kasimpasa are traditionally Istanbul minnows but they have been on the rise over the past few seasons and have managed to keep much of their squad intact except for Eren Derdiyok who joined Galatasaray and Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo.

The Istanbul based outfit are still coached by Riza Calimbay so should – in theory – be the better settled team.

Kasimpasa are notoriously difficult to break down especially on the road and considering they have changed around their striker the attack might lack synergy against Trabzonspor.

Additionally Trabzonspor have failed to beat Kasimpasa in their last seven attempts.

The Black Sea Storm have a strong home record but will need time to gel under Yanal.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals