Trabzonspor are flying. They opened the new Süper Lig campaign with a statement win, edging Kasımpaşa 2-1 away from home after dominating the first half, conceding early in the second, then snatching a late penalty to seal it. That is the mark of a side with genuine quality and a nasty streak — they can control a game, absorb a wobble, and still find a way to win. The summer arrival of Salah adds a truly elite attacking threat alongside the towering Onuachu, and that combination is going to terrorise back lines all season. At home, in front of their own fans at Akyazı Stadium, they will smell blood against an Istanbul Başakşehir side that has not yet hit its stride.

Istanbul Başakşehir are no pushovers, though. They are a well-drilled, organised outfit that knows how to frustrate and nick results. But their recent form has been patchy, and they have not shown the same attacking spark as Trabzonspor. Away from home, they tend to sit deep and rely on moments of individual quality rather than sustained pressure. That approach can work against lesser sides, but against a Trabzonspor team with this much firepower, it is a dangerous game to play. The momentum is firmly with the home side, and the crowd will be a factor.