Antalyaspor vs. Kocaelispor – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday night at the Corendon Airlines Park, Antalyaspor will take on Kocaelispor in the concluding match of the Super Lig season.

The home side understands that a win could potentially keep them from being relegated, depending on the outcomes of other matches, while the visiting team is already assured of their top-flight position for the upcoming season.

Match overview

Currently, Antalyaspor resides at the bottom of the relegation zone, holding the 16th position with 29 points, just two points behind Genclerbirligi, who are set to remain in Super Lig next term.

Going into this match, the hosts are lacking confidence, having not secured a victory in their last five fixtures, which has contributed to their urgent need for all three points on the final day in order to have a chance of survival.

Supporters will be hoping Antalyaspor can at least deliver a stronger performance than their previous outing, where they suffered a 4-2 loss against Galatasaray.

To ensure they stay in the division, they must improve on their four home victories this season, having only managed to collect 16 points in front of their own fans.

Kocaelispor is aware that they will be competing in the Super Lig for the upcoming season, approaching this match primarily for pride, as they are neither at risk of relegation nor vying for European qualification.

The visitors have not been in great form lately, lacking a win since March 9, when they triumphed over Eyupspor.

In their last match, they faced a defeat against Fatih Karagumruk at Turka Arac Muayene Kocaeli Stadyumu, extending their winless streak to eight; it’s a team that has already lost its place in the league, which may provide some reassurance to Antalyaspor.

However, fans will remain hopeful that Kocaelispor can achieve a double over the hosts, having won the earlier encounter 2-1 in December.

Team News

Antalyaspor will miss the services of Ege İzmirli due to injury, and Erdogan Yesilyurt is also unavailable for this crucial encounter as he is serving a suspension.

The home side will hope that Samuel Ballet can regain his form and increase his tally of four goals this season to help secure a vital win to keep them in the league.

Kocaelispor faces a lengthy list of absences, including Botond Balogh, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Bruno Petkovic, and Mateusz Wieteska, all due to injuries.

The visitors will also be looking for Serdar Dursun to add to his six-goal tally; achieving this would see him finish as the club’s top scorer, possibly tied with Petkovic or outright if he manages to score two.

Antalyaspor probable starting XI:

Guitar; Balci, Giannetti, Turkmen, Paal; Cynic, Saric, Ceesay, Dickmen, Omur; Ballet

Kocaelispor probable starting XI:

Oztasdelen; Oguz, Dijksteel, Smolcic, Haidara; Nonge, Cafumana, Susoho; Agyei, Dursun, Keles

Both sides enter this match in poor form, having struggled to earn victories in recent weeks. Antalyaspor, while in need of the points, may not inspire confidence in their ability to achieve this and might end up with just a draw.