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Trabzonspor welcome Ferencvaros to Papara Park on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League playoff-round tie, with both sides looking to take an advantage into the return fixture at Groupama Arena next week.
The Turkish side enter the tie after starting their domestic campaign with a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa, while the visitors have already negotiated three qualifying rounds and arrive with a guaranteed place in at least the Conference League league phase.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Trabzonspor vs. Ferencvaros key stats
- Ferencvaros have remained unbeaten in all three away matches in their European qualifying campaign this season (2W, 1D).
- Trabzonspor conceded in their opening competitive match of the season, drawing 1-1 away to Kasimpasa in their first Super Lig fixture.
- Ferencvaros have scored in all three of their away matches in European qualifying this season.
Trabzonspor vs. Ferencvaros preview: Salah set for first start against confident Hungarians
Trabzonspor vs. Ferencvaros — Tale of the Tape
| Trabzonspor | vs | Ferencvaros |
|---|---|---|
| 10th in Turkish Super Lig | Position | 8th in NB I |
| 1 | Points | 4 |
| 1 | Goals For | 3 |
| 1 | Goals Against | 4 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | 5th |
Trabzonspor begin their Europa League playoff campaign at home knowing that victory over Ferencvaros would put them within touching distance of a place in the competition's league phase.
The Black Sea Storm qualified for this stage by winning last season's Turkish Cup, allowing them to bypass the earlier qualifying rounds and enter directly at the playoff stage.
Fatih Tekke's side therefore have the advantage of having played fewer European matches, although that also means Ferencvaros have considerably more competitive experience at this point in the season.
Trabzonspor opened their domestic campaign with a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa, with Noah Saviolo putting the visitors ahead before Adrian Benedyczak equalised from the penalty spot.
The result was disappointing for a team hoping to challenge near the top of the Turkish Super Lig, although the appearance of Salah from the bench provided considerable encouragement.
The Egyptian joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after nine seasons at Liverpool, making the 34-year-old one of the biggest names to arrive in the Turkish top flight as a free agent.
After also representing Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, he now has an opportunity to make his first start for the club in front of the passionate Papara Park crowd.
Ferencvaros have reached this stage after overcoming Gornik Zabrze 2-1 on aggregate. The Hungarian champions won 1-0 at home before drawing 1-1 in Poland, with the result securing their progression while also guaranteeing them at least a place in the Conference League league phase.
That safety net could allow Ferencvaros to approach Thursday's contest with greater freedom, although the Hungarian champions will have ambitions of returning to the Europa League league phase rather than settling for the third-tier competition.
Their European campaign has already demonstrated strong away form, defeating Vojvodina and Twente on their travels, while drawing against Gornik..
Tekke has acknowledged that Ferencvaros are the stronger side on paper, which could influence Trabzonspor's approach in the opening leg. The Turkish hosts are unlikely to want to commit too many players forward and leave themselves exposed ahead of the return match in Budapest.
The visitors will therefore provide a serious test for Trabzonspor, particularly with the first leg taking place in the intense atmosphere of Papara Park.
Trabzonspor vs. Ferencvaros form guide & betting tips
| Trabzonspor | vs | Ferencvaros |
|---|---|---|
L
L
W
L
D
|
Form | D
W
L
D
W
|
| 3 | Goals For | 4 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 3 |
N/A |
Europa Qualifiers | D
W
D
|
Whispers predicts: Trabzonspor 1-1 Ferencvaros
Ferencvaros have the advantage of greater European preparation and an unbeaten away record in qualifying, while Trabzonspor have the home crowd and the potential impact of Salah making his first start.
The Turkish side should carry enough attacking quality to find the net, particularly with Salah and Onuachu potentially operating together, but the visitors have scored in all three of their away European qualifiers and should have enough attacking threat to respond.
We predict both teams to score at 1.80 (4/5), while the draw is priced at around 4.10 (31/10). Ferencvaros' away record makes them difficult to oppose, but Trabzonspor should have enough quality at home to avoid defeat in a competitive first leg.
> Under 3.5 goals at 1.40 (2/5) | Likelihood: Likely
> Both teams to score at 1.80 (4/5) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result – Draw at 4.10 (31/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Trabzonspor 1-1 Ferencvaros at 8.00 (7/1) | Likelihood: Outsider