Kocaelispor vs Konyaspor – News and Probable Lineups

After snapping a three-match losing streak with a win last time out, Kocaelispor will seek to maintain their momentum as they host Konyaspor at the Kocaeli Stadium for a Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday morning.

The Gulf have faced fluctuations in form since the beginning of the year but head into this match with renewed assurance, aiming for their first-ever league double against the Anatolian team.

Match overview

Kocaelispor’s previous match saw them travel to Istanbul, where they delivered a solid defensive performance, achieving a 1-0 win over Eyupspor. This triumph not only ended a challenging run of results but also elevated them to seventh place in the league standings.

This victory also marked the end of a three-match goal drought for Selcuk Inan’s squad, who have had a commendable campaign following their promotion and currently stand as the highest-ranked newly promoted team in the league.

While the chances of European qualification seem slim, with Kocaelispor sitting 13 points adrift of the continental spots, they have a comfortable 12-point margin above the relegation zone, with nine matches still to play.

The upcoming fixture against Konyaspor is significant, as they previously defeated the Anatolian side 3-2 in a thrilling encounter back in October, which marked the end of a three-match losing streak against them.

The hosts will also look to re-establish the Kocaeli Stadium as a stronghold, similar to their previous performance early in the season when a nine-match unbeaten home run concluded in December.

Interestingly, their three home losses in 2026 have occurred against top-tier opposition — Trabzonspor, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas — although they managed to defeat Gaziantep, the sole team outside the top four that they have faced at home this year.

In contrast, Konyaspor has faced considerable difficulties away from home this season. Only two sides have accrued fewer points on the road than Konyaspor’s nine in the Super Lig.

Ilhan Palut’s team is currently on a winless streak of seven away league fixtures, managing one draw and suffering six losses, underscoring the challenge that lies ahead in this match.

Their recent form hasn’t provided much reason for optimism, having failed to win their last two league games — succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir and then settling for a 1-1 draw at home against Kasimpasa in their latest outing.

Presently sitting 13th in the league table, the Anatolian Eagles remain deeply involved in the relegation battle, with only three points separating them from 16th-placed Kasimpasa, the first team in the relegation zone, which means every upcoming match is of vital importance.

The last time Konyaspor played at Kocaeli was in 2010 in the second tier, where they emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, marking their only win at this venue in three attempts, having lost their initial two visits — both in the top tier — with a combined score of 8-0.

Team News

Kocaelispor will continue to be without long-term injury absentee Mateusz Wieteska, who is recovering from a severe knee injury sustained earlier in the season, and Aleksandar Jovanovic is also out with a muscle strain.

Mahamadou Susoho is currently unavailable due to injury, while Can Keles has been marked as inactive owing to physical discomfort.

The hosts may also find themselves lacking attacking options, with Bruno Petkovic being inactive and considered doubtful for the match.

Konyaspor will be missing Ufuk Akyol for the remainder of the season as he recovers from cruciate ligament surgery, after having missed a significant part of the season.

The visitors also have limited defensive choices, as Adil Demirbag is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, which opens the door for Adamo Nagalo to potentially start, while veteran left-back Guilherme Haubert Sitya has been noted as inactive.

Furthermore, Rayyan Baniya is a doubt as he assesses his recovery from a persistent shin injury and will be evaluated ahead of the match.

Kocaelispor probable starting XI:

Miller; Oguz, Balogh, Smolcic, Haidara; Keita, Show; Churlinov, Agyei, Rivas; Dursun

Konyaspor probable starting XI:

Gungordu; Andzouana, Yazgili, Nagalo, Bosluk; Kutlu, Ibrahimoglu, Bjorlo; Turuc, Muleka, Olaigbe

Kocaelispor will draw confidence from their recent win and their generally strong home record this season, while Konyaspor’s away struggles may be decisive.

The visitors are under pressure due to their precarious position near the relegation zone, but their defensive vulnerabilities and poor away performance create a challenging scenario. If the hosts can uphold their defensive organization, they are expected to secure a narrow victory.