Gençlerbirliği has struggled heavily in recent weeks, suffering six defeats in their last eight matches. Their surprise cup victory over Galatasaray feels like an isolated spike rather than a true reflection of their current level.

Trabzonspor arrives with a much more reliable foundation, having lost just once in their last eight fixtures. They recently showcased their knockout capability with a clinical 3-1 away win against Samsunspor.

The historical matchup strongly favors the visitors, who have won five and drawn four of their last ten meetings against Gençlerbirliği. That track record provides a significant mental advantage in a high-pressure cup tie.

Missing Stefan Savić and Okay Yokuşlu will force Trabzonspor to adjust their backline slightly. Even with those absences, their midfield retains enough quality to dominate the ball and suppress counter-attacks.

Both clubs racked up goals in the earlier rounds of this tournament, but deeper knockout matches tend to tighten up. Trabzonspor has the experience to manage the match safely and secure progression without taking unnecessary risks.