Rizespor 1 - 2 FT Trabzonspor

Trabzonspor Asserts Dominance in Black Sea Derby Thriller

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 53/100. Trabzonspor's clinical finishing against Rizespor proved decisive in a regional derby where intensity threatened to overwhelm technique, yet superior efficiency carried the day.

Early Sucker Punch Sets the Tone

Felipe Augusto struck in the 2nd minute, catching Rize cold. The hosts responded with territorial dominance—55% possession—yet lacked the clinical edge. By the 19th minute, Onuachu doubled the lead from Inao Oulai's assist, and the match appeared settled. Rize's balance had shifted dangerously, their 22 shots yielding only 3 on target against Trabzon's 8 attempts, 5 of which found the mark.

Rak-Sakyi's Redemption Moment

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's 27th-minute strike breathed life back into the contest. Yet the underlying metrics told a damning story: Rize's 2.39 expected goals (xG) versus Trabzon's 0.47 revealed a gulf in quality over quantity. Thirty shots generated minimal stakes—a classic case of volume masking imprecision. Trabzon's defensive solidity, anchored by Stefan Savić's commanding display, weathered the storm without conceding again.

Title Race Implications

This victory consolidates Trabzonspor's position at second with 20 points from 9 matches (6W-2D-1L). Rizespor, languishing 11th on 9 points, now faces mounting pressure with relegation concerns creeping into focus. The derby's upset factor was negligible—Trabzon's superior ranking and form proved decisive. Rize's commendable effort cannot mask a season spiralling toward crisis.

Eastern Black Sea Derby: pride, points and a predator up front

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. The Eastern Black Sea Derby pits Trabzonspor’s title push against Rizespor’s search for a statement win in front of their own fans.

The Setup

On 18 October 2025, the stadium hosts a regional grudge match with far more than local bragging rights at stake. This is the Eastern Black Sea Derby, and the table adds extra edge.

Trabzonspor arrive as a serious top-end force: 31 points from 14 games, just one defeat and an unbeaten run of five. Twenty-five scored and only 12 conceded underline a side that can both punish and control.

Rizespor, by contrast, sit 12th on 15 points from 15 matches, with just three wins and a negative goal difference. The recent form line of “DLLDW” tells its own story of inconsistency. One home win from four this season leaves the hosts under clear Form pressure, while Trabzonspor’s two wins in three away games show they don’t mind hostile territory.

Stakes are high in different ways. For Trabzonspor, three points keep them firmly in the upper tier of the Süper Lig fight. For Rizespor, a derby victory would flip the narrative of their season and inject belief into a stuttering campaign.

Key Battle

The decisive clash looks set to be between creator and finisher at opposite ends. For Rizespor, Ali Sowe has yet to explode as a goalscorer but already has 3 assists, acting as the link man who knits counters together and releases runners around him.

Trabzonspor answer with a ruthless number nine. Paul Onuachu has 5 goals and 1 assist in 5 matches, with a 7.4 average rating – elite production for a centre-forward. Give him half a yard in the box and he turns it into a chance. Sowe’s ability to drag Trabzonspor’s back line out of shape versus Onuachu’s penalty-area dominance is where the Balance of this derby tilts.

Our Prediction

Expect a tense, bitty opening as both sides feel out the derby rhythm. Rizespor will likely pack midfield, protect their back line and trust Sowe to spring quick transitions into space.

Over time, Trabzonspor’s structure and superior individual quality should take hold. Longer spells of possession, better territory and a steady supply line into Onuachu look inevitable. Rizespor have enough punch to score, but holding out for 90 minutes feels a stretch.

We see Trabzonspor edging a lively contest, with their number nine making the difference. Predicted scoreline: Rizespor 1-2 Trabzonspor.