Trabzonspor
UdineseBy Kelechi Balogun — Football expert specializing in European and American leagues
The curtain falls on preseason preparations as Trabzonspor face Udinese in a final friendly before the new campaign kicks off. The Turkish side, bronze medalists in last season’s Süper Lig and Turkish Cup winners, are looking to shake off a sluggish summer. Their record against Serie A opposition is grim: no wins in nine previous meetings, with six losses and three draws. Udinese, perennial mid-table dwellers in Italy, arrive with their own set of preseason struggles, but the stylistic matchup may tilt the balance in their favor.
Fatih Tekke, the coach familiar to fans from his time in Saint Petersburg, has kept his job after a successful season. Yet his side’s summer form has been alarming: two defeats, 0-3 to Eintracht Frankfurt and 0-1 to Al Sadd, and not a single goal scored. Against the German side, Trabzonspor struggled to build out from under pressure; against the Qataris, they dominated possession but could not break down a low block. Tekke has been rotating heavily, testing reserves and new signings in both short-passing combinations and wide crosses. The ideas are not clicking yet, partly due to high training loads.
The summer transfer window saw ten new arrivals, but only one has impressed so far: left-back Sidney Cabral from Benfica, who pushes forward confidently to create width. The marquee signing, left winger Aral Şimşir from Midtjylland, has been anonymous in two appearances. The attack remains blunt, and the midfield lacks cohesion. With no goals in two friendlies, the pressure is on to find the net before the season starts.
Kosta Runjaić’s position is secure; the Pozzo family is content with mid-table finishes in both seasons under the German coach. But Udinese’s preseason has been winless: draws with Istra 2-2 and Mainz 3-3, losses to Swansea 0-2 and Al-Shabab 1-2. Runjaić sticks to his 3-5-2 base but rotates heavily. With two friendlies in two days (they faced Mainz on August 1), Sunday’s lineup will feature players who saw minimal minutes on Saturday. The squad depth allows two competitive XIs.
The key issue is creativity. Central midfielder Arthur Atta was sold to Fiorentina, and no adequate replacement has been found. The hardworking trio of Miller, Lovric, and Zarraga has Serie A experience but lacks flair. New signing Unai Gómez from Athletic Bilbao has not impressed, and forward Idrissa Gueye looks like a squad player for now. Another summer addition, Georgi Chakvetadze from sister club Watford, is sidelined with an injury until at least September. The defense has been porous, conceding at least two goals in every friendly, and starting goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also injured.
Trabzonspor (4-5-1): Onana – Pina, Savic, Nwaiwu, Cabral – Saviolo, Jaboul-Folcarelli, Bouchaoui, Malinovskyi, Şimşir – Onuachu Injured: Tufan, Yokushlu, Batagov Head coach: Fatih Tekke
Udinese (3-5-2): Piana – Palma, Kristensen, Sole – Goglichidze, Miller, Lovric, Zarraga, Ebosse – Buxa, Gueye Injured: Chakvetadze, Okoye, Zanoli Head coach: Kosta Runjaić
Main prediction: Udinese win. Both sides are far from peak form, but the stylistic edge belongs to the Italians. Trabzonspor’s vulnerability to organized high pressing was exposed against Eintracht Frankfurt, and that is one of Runjaić’s primary weapons. The Turkish side also struggled to defend crosses from wide areas, which plays into the hands of Udinese’s physically imposing and aerially strong forwards. Expect the Friulians to exploit these weaknesses and secure a victory.
Second prediction: Both teams to score – Yes. Trabzonspor are overdue for a goal after two blanks, and Udinese’s defense has been far from solid – they have conceded at least two in every preseason match. Their overall run of conceding stretches back six games. With first-choice goalkeeper Okoye injured, the backline looks even more vulnerable. The Turkish side should find the net, but Udinese’s attacking quality should ensure they score as well. A bet on both teams to score carries solid logic.
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Trabzonspor4-5-1
Udinese3-5-2I'm confident that at least two goals will be scored in the first half of today's match. Both teams have shown strong attacking intent early in games recently, and defensive lapses have been common. The pace and pressure from the opening whistle should create enough chances to see the net bulge twice before halftime.
This offseason, I see Udinese as far more cohesive than their Turkish opponent. The squad has gelled better during training and friendlies, and their tactical discipline gives them a clear edge. I'm confident Udinese will outperform the Turkish club when they meet.
I’m confident Trabzonspor will win today’s friendly. The squad is in strong form, and the opponent is clearly the weaker side in this matchup. I’ve seen enough from both teams to back this outcome without hesitation.
I'm backing over 2.5 goals in the Trabzonspor vs. Udinese match. Both teams have attacking quality and defensive gaps, so I expect goals to flow. My record speaks for itself—I've been on a strong run, and this bet fits my winning pattern.
I’m confident Trabzonspor will secure a convincing win in this match. Their attacking form and home advantage give them a clear edge over the opposition, who have struggled defensively away from home. I expect them to dominate possession and create enough chances to put the game beyond doubt early on.
I’ve been betting on football for about five years now, and I’ve never seen anything like this. This guy provides exact-score predictions with odds ranging from 40 to 70, and they hit perfectly every time. I put down 1,000 and walked away with 70,000. I’ve bought from him three times already, and every single pick has landed. If you’re curious, just search for sa4406 on Telegram.
I have no comments to make. This forecast is complete and needs no further explanation.
I firmly predict Trabzonspor to win this match. Their recent form and home advantage give them a clear edge, and I expect them to dominate their opponents with a strong tactical approach. This is a straightforward call based on their current momentum.
This offseason, I see Udinese as far more cohesive than their Turkish opponent. The squad has gelled better during training and friendlies, and their tactical discipline gives them a clear edge. I'm confident Udinese will outperform the Turkish club when they meet.
I’m confident Trabzonspor will win today’s friendly. The squad is in strong form, and the opponent is clearly the weaker side in this matchup. I’ve seen enough from both teams to back this outcome without hesitation.
I’m confident Trabzonspor will secure a convincing win in this match. Their attacking form and home advantage give them a clear edge over the opposition, who have struggled defensively away from home. I expect them to dominate possession and create enough chances to put the game beyond doubt early on.
I’ve been betting on football for about five years now, and I’ve never seen anything like this. This guy provides exact-score predictions with odds ranging from 40 to 70, and they hit perfectly every time. I put down 1,000 and walked away with 70,000. I’ve bought from him three times already, and every single pick has landed. If you’re curious, just search for sa4406 on Telegram.
I firmly predict Trabzonspor to win this match. Their recent form and home advantage give them a clear edge, and I expect them to dominate their opponents with a strong tactical approach. This is a straightforward call based on their current momentum.
I'm confident that at least two goals will be scored in the first half of today's match. Both teams have shown strong attacking intent early in games recently, and defensive lapses have been common. The pace and pressure from the opening whistle should create enough chances to see the net bulge twice before halftime.
I'm backing over 2.5 goals in the Trabzonspor vs. Udinese match. Both teams have attacking quality and defensive gaps, so I expect goals to flow. My record speaks for itself—I've been on a strong run, and this bet fits my winning pattern.
I have no comments to make. This forecast is complete and needs no further explanation.
The match is scheduled for August 2, 2026, at 15:30.
Udinese are considered the favorites, based on the stylistic advantage and Trabzonspor’s poor record against Serie A sides.
The main prediction is an Udinese win. The second prediction is that both teams will score (Yes).
For Trabzonspor: Tufan, Yokushlu, and Batagov. For Udinese: Chakvetadze, Okoye, and Zanoli are injured.
Trabzonspor have lost both friendlies without scoring. Udinese are winless with two draws and two losses, conceding at least twice in every match.