Gaziantep FK vs Rizespor
Rizespor clinch narrow win at Gaziantep
Early strikes from E. Bulut and A. Sowe set the tone for Rizespor's victory.
Rizespor secured a 2-1 victory over Gaziantep FK in the Süper Lig, thanks to early goals from E. Bulut and A. Sowe within the first 35 minutes. Gaziantep FK's Z. Ariss inadvertently handed Rizespor a late own goal, sealing the result. Fipster's low-confidence prediction of an away win with this exact scoreline proved accurate, quietly vindicating the call.
Outcome probability
The new season kicks off with Gaziantep FK facing off against Rizespor in what promises to be a competitive encounter. Both teams have reshaped their squads over the summer, aiming to make a strong start and build momentum early on.
Key facts
- 1.Gaziantep FK have signed S. Dursun on a free transfer ahead of the new season.
- 2.Gaziantep FK have lost Kévin Rodrigues and M. Kabasakal during the summer.
- 3.Rizespor have released S. Akaydin and G. Papanikolaou but made no new signings.
- 4.Rizespor finished higher than Gaziantep FK last season with a better goal difference.
- 5.The predicted scoreline is 2-1 in favour of Rizespor.
- 6.This is the first competitive match of the new season for both teams.
The context
Gaziantep FK have welcomed S. Dursun on a free transfer, hoping his experience will bolster their attacking options. However, they've seen the departures of Kévin Rodrigues and M. Kabasakal, which may impact their defensive stability. Rizespor, meanwhile, have lost S. Akaydin and G. Papanikolaou on free transfers but have made no new signings, relying on continuity to kick off their campaign.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Gaziantep FK
Away — Rizespor
Analysis
The match is expected to be finely balanced, with Rizespor holding a slight edge due to a better goal difference last season and a higher league finish. The predicted 2-1 scoreline suggests a closely contested game where Rizespor's resilience on the road could prove decisive. Both sides will be eager to start the season positively, but Rizespor's ability to edge out a win away from home might just give them the early advantage.
Prediction
Our forecast sees Rizespor clinching a 2-1 victory over Gaziantep FK. While the margin is narrow, the away side's slight statistical advantage and squad stability point towards them taking all three points in this opener.
The verdict
As the season gets underway, this fixture sets the tone for both teams. Gaziantep FK will look to integrate their new signing quickly, while Rizespor aim to capitalize on their continuity. Expect a spirited contest with Rizespor just shading it in the end.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Bulut
Assist: Pala
Sowe
Assist: Bulut
Unknown
Mocsi
Yellow Card
Bulut
Ștefan
Hansen
Kulašin
Yellow Card
Olawoyin
Antalyalı
Kutucu
Sowe
Varešanović
Yellow Card
Ariss (OG)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Galatasaray | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 7 |
| 4 |  Kocaelispor | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 5 |  Rizespor | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 |  Kasımpaşa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| 10 |  Alanyaspor | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 |  Gaziantep FK | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 12 |  Amed | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
Match Statistics
Gaziantep FK
5-4-1Starting XI
- 6U. MelekeD
- 8V. GidadoM
- 10K. KozłowskiM
- 14M. AbenaD
- 18D. SorescuD
- 22S. HansenM
- 25K. TobiaszG
- 44A. MaximM
- 96F. ȘtefanD
Substitutes
- 4A. KızıldağD
- 11M. CihanM
- 19S. DursunF
- 23K. ÇalhanoğluD
- 27E. KulašinF
- 61O. ÖzçiçekM
- 77Sabahattin DesticiD
Rizespor
4-1-4-1Starting XI
- 4A. MocsiD
- 9A. SoweF
- 10I. OlawoyinM
- 14T. AntalyalıM
- 17Z. ArissD
- 20Q. LaçiM
- 23A. KutucuM
- 54M. PalaD
- 75Y. FofanaG
- 93M. SagnanD
- 99E. BulutM
Substitutes
- 5T. SanuçD
- 6M. DiakitéM
- 7V. MihăilăF
- 8D. VarešanovićM
- 11Adedire Emmanuel Awokoya-MebudeF
- 19U. ErdemD
- 21S. BakayokoD
- 30Z. GörgenG
- 37T. ŞahinD
Gaziantep FK
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Maxim | M | 90 | 7.2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1/2 |
| U. Meleke | D | 90 | 6.8 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| K. Kozłowski | M | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2/3 |
| M. Abena | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Dursun | F | 50 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| V. Gidado | M | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| E. Kulašin | F | 25 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2/2 |
| K. Çalhanoğlu | D | 25 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| D. Sorescu | D | 90 | 6.1 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1/3 |
| S. Hansen | M | 65 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 0/1 |
| F. Ștefan | D | 65 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Tobiasz | G | 90 | 5.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Cihan | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Kızıldağ | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| O. Özçiçek | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sabahattin Destici | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Rizespor
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. Bulut | M | 64 | 8.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/2 |
| A. Sowe | F | 89 | 7.8 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| M. Pala | D | 90 | 7.6 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2/3 |
| Y. Fofana | G | 90 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Sagnan | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Mocsi | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| D. Varešanović | M | 6 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/2 |
| T. Antalyalı | M | 84 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| T. Sanuç | D | 1 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Q. Laçi | M | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — |
| A. Kutucu | M | 89 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| I. Olawoyin | M | 84 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| M. Diakité | M | 6 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V. Mihăilă | F | 26 | 6.2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Z. Ariss | D | 90 | 6.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| Z. Görgen | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Bakayoko | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Adedire Emmanuel Awokoya-Mebude | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Şahin | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| U. Erdem | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |