Preview: Göztepe looks to stretch winning run against inconsistent Rizespor
Göztepe welcome Rizespor to the Göztepe Gürsel Aksel Stadı in İzmir on 19 January with momentum firmly on their side. The home side sit fourth in the table after 17 rounds, boasting nine wins, five draws and only three defeats — a record underpinned by a stingy defence that has conceded just nine goals all season and recorded 11 clean sheets. Their recent run reads like a team hitting form: victories in friendly and competitive fixtures and a home crowd that has seen the team deliver when it matters. Rizespor arrive 12th and fragile, their league campaign marred by defensive lapses and mixed results away from home. A heavy 2-0 reverse in the Turkish Cup on 15 January did little to calm nerves.
Where the match could be decided
This is likely to be a contest defined by Göztepe’s defensive shape and Rizespor’s unpredictability in attack. Göztepe’s collective numbers paint a picture of control: a high number of clean sheets, fewer goals conceded at home, and an ability to grind out results. Rizespor have shown they can score — 20 goals in the campaign — but they also concede regularly, particularly away, where their goals conceded tally is troublesome. The head-to-head earlier this season saw Göztepe win convincingly when they travelled to Rize, and that psychological edge cannot be ignored.
Expect a structured Göztepe team looking to dominate possession and suffocate counter-attacks, while Rizespor will attempt to exploit any gaps with quick transitions. Attacking averages favour the hosts, who generate more dangerous opportunities per match, and their home form suggests they will start on the front foot.
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Betting suggestion: Given Göztepe’s superior defensive record at home, their recent form and the bookmaker market favouring the hosts at 1.92, the strongest single-market pick here is a Home win (1X2) for Göztepe. This selection blends form, statistics and head-to-head context into a value-backed recommendation.
