Kasimpasa vs. Besiktas – News and Probable Lineups

Kasimpasa will aim to build on their strong start to the Turkish Super Lig campaign as they prepare to host Besiktas at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium this Sunday.

The home side has suffered only one defeat in nine league fixtures, positioning them sixth with a total of 16 points, while Besiktas sits in fourth place, having secured 18 points from their six wins in the initial nine rounds.

Match overview

Entering this fixture with confidence, Kasimpasa clinched successive league triumphs against Samsunspor and Eyupspor, netting five goals while conceding just once during this period.

Following a convincing 4-1 victory over Samsunspor at home, Emre Belozoglu’s team secured a narrow 1-0 win on the road against Eyupspor, with Adrian Benedyczak scoring the only goal in the 37th minute.

They extended their winning streak to three with a 3-1 triumph over Corluspor in the Turkish Cup on Thursday, achieving a result that they have not replicated at any other point this season.

The only blemish on Kasimpasa’s record came when they faced league leaders Galatasaray away, where they lost 3-1. Nevertheless, they remain unbeaten at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium in their four home league matches, recording one win and three draws.

The hosts are hopeful that their recent impressive performances will help them break a three-match winless streak in this matchup, which includes one defeat and two draws. They have also drawn their last two home encounters against Besiktas.

Besiktas arrives in Istanbul after bouncing back from their previous defeat and achieving a 2-0 victory against Istanbul Basaksehir, having suffered a 2-0 setback against Trabzonspor prior.

In between their league matches, Vincenzo Italiano’s team managed a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in the Europa League, which left them with four points after opening their European journey with a 3-2 away success against Hoffenheim.

Back to domestic league action, they have won two and lost two of their last four matches, with the defeats occurring in successive away fixtures. Their only road victory came against Fenerbahce, leaving them with three losses in four away league games.

This away record raises concerns for the Black Eagles as they approach a venue where they have not triumphed in their last three visits, recording two draws and one loss, while managing only one win in their last six visits there.

Team News

Several players in the Kasimpasa squad are grappling with fitness issues ahead of the match, with Kevin Mouanga, Fousseni Diabate, and Godfried Frimpong all uncertain for the clash, while Kamil Corekci is ruled out due to an Achilles tendon injury.

On a positive note, Mortadha Ben Ouanes returned to the lineup for the cup fixture against Corlu and is available for selection for Sunday’s match.

Besiktas could be missing Orkun Kokcu who is recovering from a heel injury, with Fabio Miretti also sidelined due to a shoulder issue.

There are concerns around Milot Rashica, who is reported to have a hamstring injury, and Vaclav Cerny, who picked up an issue during the win over Istanbul Basaksehir and has been ruled out of this fixture.

Umit Akdag is another absentee due to a broken wrist, leaving Italiano with crucial selection choices to make, especially in midfield and forward positions, though Vlahovic is expected to lead the attack.

Kasimpasa probable starting XI:

Gianniotis; Winck, Arous, Ilie, Karapo; Mendes, Demirbay; Rak-Sakyi, Hajradinovic, Kol; Benedyczak

Besiktas probable starting XI:

Nubel; Murillo, Agbadou, Topcu, Yilmaz; Ndidi; Poku, Olaitan, Trossard, Yilmaz; Vlahovic

Given Kasimpasa’s strong record at home and their recent form, they seem poised to give Besiktas a tough match, particularly with Benedyczak in such effective scoring form.

Nevertheless, the visitors have netted more goals in the league this season and have the capability to exploit any defensive oversights. If they can dominate the midfield and provide adequate support to Vlahovic, they should have the resources to secure a narrow victory in what promises to be a closely contested fixture.