Caykur Rizespor vs Konyaspor – News and Probable Lineups

On Friday, Caykur Didi Stadyumu will host a clash between two teams positioned in the mid-table of the Turkish Super Lig, as Caykur Rizespor takes on Konyaspor in the first match of round 32.

The home side is mathematically secure from relegation, holding a 12-point cushion above the drop zone with just three games left, while the visitors find themselves three points adrift. Nonetheless, Konyaspor enjoys a favorable goal difference compared to the teams below, ensuring their safety as the season reaches its final phase.

Match overview

Recep Ucar, who succeeded Ilhan Palut at Rizespor in early December after the latter’s departure, will be eager to outmaneuver his former boss when the teams face off on Friday.

Ucar took over a team in 11th place and has since propelled them to ninth, securing a fourth successive season in the top flight for the Black Sea Sparrowhawks.

During his tenure, Rizespor has achieved six victories and incurred six losses across 17 league outings, with defeats to last-placed Fatih Karagumruk and, more recently, second-last Kayserispor (2-0) underlining a lack of consistency in their performances.

Throughout that stretch, they have experienced two separate runs of back-to-back league defeats; however, they have shown solid home form, with only one of those losses occurring at Caykur Didi Stadyumu—and that was against league leaders Galatasaray.

Since that setback, Ucar’s team has secured four consecutive home wins, marking their longest streak at home this season, which has been vital for their fight to avoid relegation.

The team aims to extend their home winning run to five matches, although they face a Konyaspor side that has proved tricky for them to overcome, having not won against them in their last four competitive encounters, with three drawn and one lost, including a 1-1 draw earlier this season.

On the other hand, Palut has steered Konyaspor up to eighth place in the table, ensuring their spot in the top league for a 14th straight season, and he will be keen to secure a win over his former club.

Taking charge in early February with the team ranked 14th, Palut has managed 11 league matches, facing defeat only twice while securing six victories during this time.

Their current nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions is particularly noteworthy, including a 1-0 extra-time triumph over Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals, which has set up a semi-final contest against Besiktas.

In league play, the Anatolian Eagles remain unbeaten in their last seven matches (5W, 2D), and they capitalized on their cup success with a 2-1 victory against high-flying Trabzonspor, continuing their positive momentum.

Palut will hope that the added incentive of facing his former side will motivate his team to extend their solid streak and maintain their unbeaten record at Caykur Didi Stadyumu, where they have drawn in their last two visits.

Team News

Rizespor will continue to be without Altin Zeqiri, who has been sidelined for the past four matches due to an injury. Husniddin Alikulov is nearing a return following a knee issue acquired in January, though this fixture may come too soon for him.

Additionally, the hosts will miss Romanian forward Valentin Mihaila, who is serving a suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards.

Konyaspor, too, has its share of absentees, including Josip Calusic, Guilherme Sitya, and Alassane Ndao, all of whom are suspended for non-football-related reasons.

In terms of injuries, Ufuk Akyol remains a long-term absentee with a severe knee issue, Blaz Kramer has faced a similar setback, and Tunahan Tasci has not featured in the last three matches.

Berkan Kutlu is also unavailable for this match due to suspension after receiving yellow cards, despite scoring twice in the recent win over Trabzonspor.

Caykur Rizespor probable starting XI:

Fly; Shovel, Blood, Mocsi, Hojer; Blackboard; Mebude, Laci, Olawein, Mebude; Sowe

Konyaspor probable starting XI:

Ertas; Yazgili, Nagalo, Demirbag, Andzouana; Ibrahimoglu, Jevtovic; Turuc, Bardhi, Olaigbe; Muleka

Although Rizespor has faced some disappointing defeats in recent weeks, their strong home form is noteworthy in this encounter against a Konyaspor side that is currently in good shape, leading us to believe this match may well end in a third consecutive draw at Caykur Didi Stadyumu.