Gaziantep FK host Çaykur Rizespor in Matchweek 3 of the Süper Lig on 29 August 2026. Gaziantep are sixth with four points from two games and unbeaten, whereas Rizespor are down in thirteenth with three points and already looking inconsistent. Two recently appointed managers face each other for the first time with nothing in the way of a shared tactical history.
Mirel Rădoi took charge at Gaziantep on 22 April 2026, replacing Burak Yılmaz, while Recep Uçar has been at Rizespor since 3 December 2025 following İlhan Palut's exit. They have never met as managers, which means neither has meaningful film on the other in a dugout role.
Gaziantep have started well, taking four points from two games with a 1-1 draw against Alanyaspor on 15 August and a 1-0 win at Eyüpspor on 23 August. Rizespor won at Konyaspor to open the season, then a 0-2 home defeat to Samsunspor the following week undid that confidence immediately.
Gaziantep are without two players who would normally start. Juninho Bacuna is suspended after picking up a red card against Eyüpspor and his absence leaves a gap in the middle, while Arda Kızıldağ remains out through long term injury. Rizespor's losses are equally disruptive, with Khusniddin Alikulov out until around October 2026 following a cruciate ligament tear and Modibo Sagnan also sidelined long term.
Gaziantep's 3-4-2-1 lets the wing backs commit forward without leaving a two on two behind them, with Alexandru Maxim as their creative centre and the system built to get him the ball in space. Deian Sorescu has already contributed goals and assists in the opening weeks, while Myenty Abena sits in front of the back three and does not venture forward. Without Bacuna, Maxim has to do more defensive work between the lines, which cuts into the time he has in possession to create.
Rizespor line up in a 4-2-3-1 and look to circulate through their double pivot and find Dal Varesanovic in the hole. Ali Sowe leads the line and is the focal point of everything they do going forward, with Varesanovic operating behind him as the link between midfield and attack. Attila Mocsi organises the back four and steps into midfield when Rizespor have the ball. Without Alikulov and Sagnan, Uçar's central options are stretched and aerial duels, both in set piece situations and open play, become a real vulnerability.
Gaziantep will invite pressure, stay compact and look to spring Sorescu and Maxim on the break, while Rizespor look to work the ball through midfield to Varesanovic. Where it gets interesting is in the half spaces. Gaziantep's three man defence is solid but their shape relies on the wing backs pressing high and if Rizespor can shift quickly enough to exploit those channels before the back three adjusts, Sowe running in behind an exposed back three is the most dangerous scenario Gaziantep face. Sorescu's direct running, meanwhile, will test Mocsi's recovery speed throughout.
Rizespor have the better of this fixture historically, with eight wins to Gaziantep's six and one draw across roughly fifteen meetings and in the last six encounters they have won four. Goals have come regularly at both ends, with 29 for Rizespor and 23 for Gaziantep across the sample.
Gaziantep's physical presence in the box, backed by the three man defensive structure, makes them a genuine aerial threat from set pieces and Rizespor do not have the bodies to deal with it right now. Varesanovic will need accurate delivery to make anything happen from dead balls. Both managers are also navigating their respective squads mid season and at this level of parity small details like throw in routines and goalkeeper distribution can swing close games.
Rizespor will have the ball more but struggle to break Gaziantep's block. Sowe's presence keeps them dangerous on the break and the visitors' four win record in recent meetings is hard to ignore entirely. With both squads missing key players, this looks like a game neither side will be able to put away. Predicted score: 1-1.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
