Kasimpasa vs Kocaelispor – News and Probable Lineups

Kasimpasa has the opportunity to distance itself from the relegation zone if they secure a win against Kocaelispor on Sunday.

Currently, the home team is positioned 13th in the Super Lig standings, while Kocaelispor occupies the 11th place, aiming for a finish in the top half.

Match overview

With just three points separating them from the relegation zone and three matches remaining, many within Kasimpasa may feel anxious about the possibility of dropping to the second division.

Nevertheless, Emre Belozoglu’s side has gathered 10 of their 31 points in the current season from their last six matches.

The two losses they suffered during this stretch were against top-five teams Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir, with the latter match resulting in a 4-0 defeat.

At the Recap Tayyip Erdogan Stadium, the narrative has been different, as they have recorded three consecutive victories.

Importantly, Kasimpasa managed to keep clean sheets in their wins over Eyupspor, Kayserispor, and Alanyaspor.

On the other hand, Kocaelispor is nearly assured of survival in their first season back in Turquia’s premier league since 2008-09.

Even though they have gone six Super Lig matches without a win, the hard work that has been done earlier in the season has been significant, even with the Gulf scoring only 25 goals in 31 games.

Four consecutive matches have seen no more than two goals scored in a Kocaelispor game, underscoring their strong defensive record (35 goals conceded), which has been crucial in keeping the club in the league.

Although Kocaelispor has managed only three victories from 15 away matches, they have garnered seven points over their last six away encounters.

Selcuk Inan’s team has netted just 10 goals in 15 away league matches in 2025-26.

Team News

Kasimpasa will need to make a defensive adjustment as Rodrigo Becau is suspended following a red card received during the match against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Nicholas Opuku is expected to take his place at center-back, with Andri Baldursson also unavailable due to an accumulation of eight yellow cards.

Kerem Demirbay might drop back into a more defensive midfield role, enabling Kubilay Kanatsizkus to play further forward.

Mahamadou Susoho and Serdar Dursun are potential candidates to be reinstated in the Kocaelispor starting XI.

Should opportunities arise, Karol Linetty and Rigoberto Rivas may find themselves on the substitutes’ bench.

The leading scorer Bruno Petkovic has missed the last two fixtures due to a hamstring injury.

Kasimpasa probable starting XI:

Gianniotis; Winck, Opuku, Arous, Frimpong; Cafu, Demirbay; Kahveci, Kanatsizkus, Diabate; Benedyczak

Kocaelispor probable starting XI:

Oztasdelen; Oguz, Dijksteel, Smolcic, Haidara; Bingol, Susoho, Keita; Agyei, Dursun, Nonge

Even with the contrast in league standings, Kasimpasa appears to be in superior form and will be optimistic about claiming all three points. However, the visitors might still manage to secure a point in what could be a tight match.