Trabzonspor vs Kocaelispor Prediction: Former Saints star to score

The new Turkish Super Lig season kicked off this weekend, and getting their campaign underway on Monday night are Trabzonspor, as they host newly-promoted Kocaelispor at Papara Park (19:30 BST). 

Below you can find my Trabzonspor vs Kocaelispor predictions as we search for a Monday winner. 

Team News

Former Southampton man Paul Onuachu has made his successful loan deal from 2023/24 permanent as Trabzonspor paid £6m for his signature this summer. He should start up front, with Cercle Brugge forward Felipe Augusto also challenging for a place in the XI. 

Rennes wide man Kazeem Olaigbe could be a key provider, while Wagner Pina joins from Estoril to replace the departed Pedro Malheiro. Stefan Savic and Ozun Tufan will play key parts once again this season for the team that dropped to seventh in the Super Lig last term. 

Kocaelispor have aimed high in the window, with former Middlesbrough right-back Anfernee Dijksteel arriving on a free transfer along with Bruno Petkovic, from Dinamo Zagreb. Mateusz Wieteska joins on loan from Cagliari to strengthen the defence. 

Trabzonspor vs Kocaelispor Odds

Trabzonspor are priced at 8/15 to win this game, with Kocaelispor the underdogs at 9/2. That gives the hosts an implied win probability of 65% while a draw can be backed at 11/4.

Over 2.5 goals is 8/11, BTTS is 4/5 and Danylo Sikan is the favourite to score first at 9/2.

Trabzonspor to win and BTTS @ 11/5

The Black Sea Storm went eight games with a win in all competitions at the start of last term, as they suffered a drop in performance levels across the entire season. New gaffer Fatih Tekke took over from Senol Gunes, and there is hope this term that he can lead them back into the top four. 

This is a relatively kind first fixture on paper, and I would expect the home side to win with the amount of quality they have throughout their squad. However, they had an issue keeping the ball out of their net last term, conceding 45 goals in total in the league - so I’ll also back an exciting Kocaelispor to find the net in defeat following promotion.

Today's Football Fixtures

Football Odds

Bet Builder - Paul Onuachu to score 2+ and over 2.5 goals @ 9/2

A little Bet Builder to finish things over. I’ve already explained my reasoning for over 2.5 goals, as I expect both teams to find the net, so let’s discuss the likelihood of Onuachu finding the net. He was a sensation when he last featured in Turkey in 23/24 as he scored 15 goals in 21 Super Lig games and the fact Saints kept hold of him last term in the Premier League was a major reason for Trabzonspor's drop off.  

Having now found a permanent home, I’m expecting him to kick on massively, and the faith the Turkish outfit have shown in him should deliver big results. He can score twice on opening night.

Offers

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