Mohamed Salah-led Trabzonspor visit KuPS for their opening match in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday. The Turkish side have received a massive boost since Salah’s free transfer after leaving Premier League giants Liverpool in the summer.

He has been carrying the side on his shoulders with his blistering attacking form, adapting quickly to new surroundings in a new country.

In fact, the 34-year-old has bagged seven goals in all competitions for them so far, including a sensational hat-trick against Galatasaray in their 4-0 drubbing in the Super Lig last month.

Now, the peerless Salah aims to open his account in Europe for his new club as Trabzonspor kick-start their Conference League campaign in Finland.

They made a triumphant return to business after the international hiatus last weekend with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Samsunspor on the road.

Ernest Muci, Chibuike Nwaiwu, and Franculino Dju scored a goal apiece to put them 3-0 up inside the opening 40 minutes of the clash.

In the 43rd minute, Melih Kabasakal was sent off for the Turkish side, forcing them to play a man down for the entire second half, but the visitors held their own and walked away with a clean sheet. Salah bagged an assist in the game too.

With four wins and 13 points in the bag from seven games, Trabzonspor are in fifth place in the league standings, just three points off leaders Galatasaray.

KuPS qualified for the Conference League after seeing off Irish side Shamrock Rovers 2-1 on aggregate in the playoffs, marking their second appearance in a row after debuting in 2025.

KuPS vs Trabzonspor Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

This marks the first official clash between the sides.
Trabzonspor have only played against one Finnish side in the past, TPS (Turun Palloseura), in the 1992 Cup Winners’ Cup in a two-legged tie.
The Black Sea Storm have won their last two games, scoring seven goals and conceding none.
Mohamed Salah could make his Conference League debut on Thursday.
Since beating Shamrock on 27 August, KuPS have won just once from their last six outings while losing their most recent two.

KuPS vs Trabzonspor Prediction

Trabzonspor are the favorites here and should be able to come away with a comfortable victory, driven by Salah’s brilliance, to start their European campaign.

Prediction: KuPS 1-3 Trabzonspor