Trabzonspor welcome Ferencvaros to Papara Park on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff, with Mohamed Salah in contention to make his first start for the Turkish side.
Fatih Tekke's team opened their Super Lig campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Kasimpasa. Noah Saviolo put Trabzonspor ahead before Adrian Benedyczak equalised from the penalty spot, but Salah's second-half introduction gave supporters an early glimpse of what their marquee signing can add to the attack.
The Egyptian played only around 30 minutes but still recorded the highest expected-goals figure of any player on the pitch, created two chances and attempted eight crosses. After joining on a two-year deal following nine seasons at Liverpool, the 34-year-old could now be handed his first start alongside last season's joint-top Super Lig scorer Paul Onuachu.
Ferencvaros arrive with greater European rhythm after eliminating Gornik Zabrze 2-1 on aggregate in the previous round. The Hungarian champions have also remained unbeaten away from home during this season's qualifying campaign, making them a dangerous opponent despite Trabzonspor's home advantage.
Trabzonspor vs Ferencvaros: Key Stats
Trabzonspor opened their competitive season with a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa
Mohamed Salah created two chances and attempted eight crosses during his debut cameo of around 30 minutes
Paul Onuachu scored 22 Super Lig goals last season, finishing joint-top of the scoring charts
Ferencvaros eliminated Gornik Zabrze 2-1 on aggregate in the previous qualifying round
Ferencvaros are unbeaten away from home in European qualifying this season, beating Vojvodina and Twente before drawing with Gornik
Lenny Joseph and Kristoffer Zachariassen have been among Ferencvaros' main attacking threats during the qualifying campaign
Photo Credit (UEFA)
What to Expect
Trabzonspor should carry more attacking threat if Salah is handed his first start on the right. His tendency to begin wide before moving into central areas can stretch Ferencvaros and create better service for Onuachu, while Saviolo and Metehan Mimaroglu give Tekke further options around the Nigerian striker.
The hosts are unlikely to throw numbers forward recklessly, however. Tekke has openly described Ferencvaros as the stronger team on paper, and with a second leg still to come in Budapest, Trabzonspor will want to use home advantage without leaving themselves exposed in transition. Andre Onana should continue in goal, while Arseniy Batagov, Tim Jabol-Folcarelli and Ernest Muci remain sidelined.
Ferencvaros have already shown they are comfortable managing European qualifiers away from home. Their likely approach is to stay compact, frustrate the hosts and attack the spaces left when Trabzonspor push their full-backs forward. Lenny Joseph offers pace in transition, while Kristoffer Zachariassen provides another threat arriving from midfield.
The first goal could shape the entire match. An early Trabzonspor breakthrough would force Ferencvaros to become more adventurous, but the longer the game remains level, the more comfortable the visitors are likely to become.
Predicted Lineups
Trabzonspor (4-2-3-1)
Onana; Pina, Savic, Nwaiwu, Eskihellac; Bouchouari, Malinovskyi; Salah, Mimaroglu, Saviolo; Onuachu
Ferencvaros (4-4-2)
Dibusz; Osvath, Gomez, Zohore, Cadu; Zeteny, Nagy, Corbu, Zachariassen; Joseph, Kanichowsky
Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah - The headline arrival could make his first Trabzonspor start after an encouraging cameo against Kasimpasa. His movement inside from the right, chance creation and crossing give the hosts a different attacking dimension, particularly with Onuachu occupying the centre-backs.
Paul Onuachu - Last season's 22-goal return makes him Trabzonspor's most reliable penalty-box threat. His aerial ability and physical presence could become even more dangerous if Salah is able to deliver consistently from the right.
Lenny Joseph - Ferencvaros' pace on the break makes him one of the visitors' biggest threats. If Trabzonspor commit numbers forward, Joseph is the player most capable of attacking the space behind their defensive line.
Kristoffer Zachariassen - Gives Ferencvaros an additional scoring threat from deeper positions. His timing around the box and ability to support counter-attacks could be important if the Hungarian champions spend long periods without the ball.
Prediction
Prediction: Both Teams to Score - Yes @ around 1.80
Trabzonspor have enough attacking quality to score at Papara Park, especially if Salah starts alongside Onuachu, but backing the hosts outright carries more risk than their individual names suggest. They failed to win their domestic opener and still have defensive questions to answer.
Ferencvaros have already shown that they can compete away from home in European qualifying and possess enough speed to exploit Trabzonspor in transition. With the hosts expected to push for a first-leg advantage and the visitors comfortable attacking on the break, both teams finding the net looks stronger than choosing a winner.
Correct-score lean: Trabzonspor 1-1 Ferencvaros