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Trabzonspor v Lokeren background

As they meet for the first time, Trabzonspor AŞ and KSC Lokeren OV have enjoyed mixed fortunes since the start of UEFA Europa League Group L.

Trabzonspor coach Vahid Halilhodžić
Trabzonspor coach Vahid Halilhodžić ©Trabzonspor

Trabzonspor AŞ lost for the first time in a UEFA group stage home game on matchday two but can make amends against KSC Lokeren OV in UEFA Europa League Group L.

Form guide
• There is little to choose between Turkish and Belgian clubs going by the results of their 20 previous UEFA competition meetings, with the Turkish sides' record reading W6 D6 L8. Galatasaray AŞ's 1-1 home draw against RSC Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League in September was the most recent encounter.

• Prior to their 1-0 matchday two defeat by Legia Warszawa, Trabzonspor had not lost a UEFA group stage home game (W2 D4).

Lokeren's results have been consistent in Europe this season: they have won both of their home games by one-goal margins and lost both of their away games, again by the odd goal.

Trivia and links
Lokeren defender Giorgos Galitsios and Trabzonspor counterpart Avraam Papadopoulos were team-mates at Olympiacos FC (2008-11).

Trabzonspor defender Aykut Demir turns 26 on the eve of the Lokeren game; Lokeren defender Alexander Scholz turns 22 the day after the match in Turkey.

The coaches
• Former Yugoslavia striker Vahid Halilhodžić took charge at Trabzonspor for a second time in summer 2014, fresh from guiding Algeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup round of 16. He made his name in France, scoring freely for FC Nantes before joining Paris Saint-Germain, and later returned to the capital club as coach.

Lokeren coach since 2010, Peter Maes spent a big chunk of the 1990s as a back-up goalkeeper for RSC Anderlecht, later becoming No1 at KSK Beveren and R. Standard de Liège. He made his name as a coach by leading KV Mechelen back into the top division in 2006/07.