In the unpredictable arena of the Türkiye Kupası, two sides collide as Erzurum BB takes on Rizespor on January 15, 2026. Both teams have shown a penchant for high drama this season; Erzurum has been threading the needle between brilliance and frustration, while Rizespor is teetering on a knife-edge of inconsistency. With both clubs eyeing a crucial win to bolster their chances in the group stage, expect fireworks-whether it's from clinical finishing or defensive blunders.
Predicted Lineups: GK: Matija Orbanić, DEF: Guram Giorbelidze, Yakup Kırtay, Mustafa Yumlu, Orhan Ovacıklı, MID: Brandon Baiye, Giovanni Crociata, Mustafa Fettahoglu, Eren Tozlu, FWD: Benhur Keser vs. GK: Yahia Fofana, DEF: Casper Højer, Modibo Sagnan, Samet Akaydın, Taha Şahin, MID: Giannis Papanikolaou, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Qazim Laci, FWD: Ali Sowe.
The stakes are palpable as Erzurum BB comes off a commendable 2-0 victory over Sivasspor. They displayed dominance with five shots on target compared to just one from their opponents. The stat sheet reflects their recent form: they've managed to convert opportunities effectively despite having less possession overall in some matches. This is a team that knows how to hit when the iron's hot-particularly with sharp shooters like Eren Tozlu leading the line.
On the flip side sits Rizespor-who can only be described as 'mercurial' after oscillating between stellar victories and disappointing defeats. After stomping Gazişehir Gaziantep 5-2 in their last cup outing-a match where Halil Dervişoğlu enjoyed an electrifying hat-trick-their subsequent performances have left more questions than answers. How can you score five goals one week and barely scrape one the next? Consistency remains elusive for Rizespor.
Diving into recent statistics reveals telling patterns: Erzurum tends to thrive in tight spaces but struggles with maintaining possession. Their average of around 47% possession might raise eyebrows; however, they often capitalize on counterattacks that leave opponents vulnerable. Contrast this with Rizespor's slightly better ball retention at around 45%. Yet what good is possession if it's not accompanied by purpose? They need more attacking thrust to break down stubborn defenses like Erzurum's.
Tactical battles will likely hinge upon midfield control and efficiency in front of goal. For Erzurum BB, players such as Benhur Keser and Giovanni Crociata are pivotal cogs in transitioning from defense to attack seamlessly-each capable of unlocking defenses with incisive passing or an unexpected run into space. It's worth noting that while both players haven't exactly lit up the scoreboard (each scoring once), their creative contributions cannot be understated. In fact, Crociata boasts an impressive five assists this season; watch for his influence here.
Rizespor counters with key players like Ibrahim Olawoyin and Ali Sowe who possess technical finesse yet have struggled recently with consistency-and therein lies their issue: they sometimes lack the cutting edge necessary to finish off moves before running out of steam in key moments. A perfect example being their latest performance against Beşiktaş where they recorded 17 total shots but could only muster a meager xG (expected goals) output of just 0.85!
This game becomes even more intriguing when looking at discipline metrics; Erzurum's occasional recklessness leads them into disciplinary trouble-two yellow cards per game might indicate either tenacity or naivety depending on your viewpoint! On the other hand-Rizespor averages slightly less than two but remain cautious not to give away too many fouls within dangerous territory.
Statistically speaking: there's something brewing here beneath the surface! The head-to-head meetings lean ever so slightly towards Rizespor-but that's ancient history now as both squads have undergone significant shifts since last facing each other several seasons ago.
As we ponder potential outcomes based on previous clashes and stats so far this campaign: Who'll rise victorious? Considering how each side has fared recently-with Erzurum being much tougher defensively lately-their tactical cohesion should give them a slight edge against a visiting Rizespor looking for answers.
It feels safe predicting a hard-fought draw-or perhaps even a narrow win for Erzurum if they can capitalize effectively on set-pieces or mistakes by their opponents; either way-expect no quarter given as both teams push toward advancing further in this prestigious tournament!
Keep your eyes peeled-it promises to be quite the encounter when these two clash again!