Alanyaspor's Winless Run Meets Trabzonspor's Top-Four Push as Both Sides Confirm Lineups

Alanyaspor and Trabzonspor have confirmed their starting lineups for Sunday's Super Lig meeting at GAIN Park Stadium, with João Pereira and Thomas Reis each sticking to the shapes that have defined their recent runs. Alanyaspor line up in a 3-4-2-1; Trabzonspor counter with a 4-2-3-1.

The hosts sit 12th on 12 points from 10 matches, a return that has kept them in the bottom half and extended a worrying sequence of results. Trabzonspor arrive with the opposite incentive: a win strengthens their position near the top of the table. The gap between the two clubs' seasons is the subtext of every selection.

Pereira's 3-4-2-1 asks the wing-backs to cover the full width of the pitch while the two attacking midfielders tuck inside. Against a 4-2-3-1, that creates a natural overload in central areas — but only if Alanyaspor's midfield four can win the ball back quickly. If Trabzonspor's double pivot holds its position, the hosts' front three risk isolation.

Reis's 4-2-3-1 is built to exploit exactly that kind of spacing. The three attacking midfielders can press Alanyaspor's back three directly, while the two holding midfielders screen the space in front of the defence. The question is whether Trabzonspor's full-backs push high enough to pin Alanyaspor's wing-backs — or whether they sit back and invite pressure.

André Onana starts in goal for Trabzonspor, a selection that signals Reis wants a goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet. Alanyaspor's attacking threat will likely come through Arda Usluoğlu, Baran Gezek, Bedirhan Özyurt and Chibuike Nwaiwu — all of whom have yet to score this season. Their movement between the lines will be critical if Alanyaspor are to break down a Trabzonspor defence that has conceded fewer goals than the hosts.

Pereira's decision to keep the 3-4-2-1 means Alanyaspor will rely on width from their wing-backs rather than a traditional winger. That puts extra responsibility on the two attacking midfielders to drift wide and create crossing angles. If Trabzonspor's full-backs stay disciplined, Alanyaspor's attacks could become predictable.

For Alanyaspor, three points would lift them away from the lower reaches and ease the pressure on Pereira. For Trabzonspor, a win keeps them in the conversation near the top of the Super Lig table. The lineups confirm both managers believe their current systems are the right ones — now the players have to prove it.

Kick-off is at 15:30 UTC.