Trabzonspor look to continue Doğan's run

Fourth-placed Trabzonspor are battling to reclaim a place among the top sides in Turkey as they take on Beşiktaş JK in Saturday's big Süper Lig fixture.

Finishing fourth
The only side from outside Istanbul ever to have won the Turkish title, Trabzonspor have long been a thorn in the side of Turkey's big three, but two seasons of fourth-placed finishes have taken some of the shine off their reputation. Their 100th league meeting with Beşiktaş provides them a great opportunity to start to redress the balance.

Changed situation
Trabzonspor have had a good run against Beşiktaş under Ziya Doğan, winning all four of their encounters, but the coach knows that past meetings will count for little on Saturday. "Things have changed a lot since our last victory," he said. "Beşiktaş are a more successful team this season and have a coach [Ertuğrul Sağlam] who thinks team play is the top priority."

Closed doors
Another major difference from previous encounters is that the game will be played behind closed doors at the Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium due to a punishment imposed on the club by the Turkish Football Federation. However, Turkish international midfielder Gökdeniz Karadeniz is not too concerned. "It's sad to be without our supporters but we know their hearts are with us," he said. "Therefore we will do our utmost to win the game."

Many issues
Gökdeniz is Trabzonspor's current top goalscorer with five goals in eight league games this season and will be a key player against Beşiktaş. His side go into the game with no serious injury concerns save for the absence of right-back Musa Büyuk who has been sidelined since the end of last season with a broken foot. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, have a lot of issues to contend with.

Short of goals
Serdar Özkan and İbrahim Akın (both knee) and goalkeeper Hakan Arıkan (stomach muscle) are all out, with veteran Rüştü Reçber expected to replace the latter. More worryingly, the third-placed side have been struggling for goals with nine from their last eight games representing their worst start to a season in 22 years. Brazilians Bobô and Márcio Nobre will attempt to address that issue in Trabzon.