Preview: Fatih Karagumruk vs Kayserispor - prediction, team news, lineups

Round 10 of the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig season kicks off on Friday evening as bottom-placed Fatih Karagumruk host second-bottom Kayserispor at the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium.

Both sides find themselves deeply entrenched in the relegation zone, separated by just two points, and will view this as a crucial six-pointer that could shape their survival prospects moving forward.

Match preview

Karagumruk’s struggles continued last weekend as they fell to a sixth consecutive league defeat, losing 2-1 to Fenerbahce – it is now the longest losing streak of any side in the Super Lig this season.

Life back in the top flight has been unforgiving for Kara Kirmizi, who have lost eight of their nine fixtures so far (1W), with their only success coming in a surprise 2-1 victory away to Antalyaspor on matchday three.

Despite the poor run, manager Marcel Licka praised his side’s effort against Fenerbahce, highlighting their spirit against a top-quality opponent, and he will now be desperate for that same intensity to translate into points against a direct rival in the relegation battle.

Licka will also be counting on his forwards to take advantage of a shaky Kayserispor defence, as both sides currently hold the joint-worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 20 goals each, suggesting that this could be an open, attacking contest.

The hosts have scored six goals in their last five matches — twice as many as the visitors — and will be hoping that their slightly superior firepower can make the difference.

Their recent record in this fixture also offers encouragement, as Karagumruk are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Kayserispor (4W, 1D), including a 4-1 victory in Istanbul last season.

For Kayserispor, new manager Radomir Dalovic endured a rough start to life in charge, losing 3-1 at home to Samsunspor in his debut match.

The Montenegrin tactician, however, remained positive, insisting that his team created enough chances to change the game’s direction in the first half and must now learn quickly from that defeat.

The visitors have gone 12 matches without a win in all competitions (6D, 6L), last tasting victory in May against Antalyaspor, and their defensive issues remain a major concern, having failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 consecutive games.

Ironically, their away form has been slightly steadier, losing only once on the road this season (4D) — that defeat being a 4-0 thumping at Trabzonspor – with three of their away games ending 1-1, and Dalovic’s side will be hoping for at least another resilient showing in Istanbul to steady the ship.

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Karagumruk will be without Slovenian defender Jure Balkovec, who is suspended following his red card late in the defeat to Fenerbahce.

Portuguese full-back Ricardo Esgaio remains sidelined through injury, having missed the last two matches, while right-winger Joao Camacho is a doubt after sitting out the trip to Istanbul.

Goalkeeper Berke Can Evli also remains unavailable, having been out of the squad for several weeks.

There was some positive news for the hosts last weekend as Enzo Roco returned from injury to start against Fenerbahce, while Argentine midfielder Matias Kranevitter made his debut for the club.

Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana also made his first appearance and remains Karagumruk’s top scorer this season with three goals.

As for Kayserispor, their defeat to Samsunspor came at a cost, with defenders Ramazan Civelek, Stefano Denswil, and Lionel Carole all picking up knocks, according to manager Radomir Dalovic.

Carole will also miss this match regardless of his recovery, as he serves a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Long-term absentees Majid Hosseini and Gideon Jung remain out, while Yaw Ackah is also expected to continue his spell on the sidelines.

Midfielder Youssef Ait Bennasser, however, has fully recovered from a thigh injury and featured from the start in last weekend’s defeat, offering some stability in midfield ahead of the trip to Istanbul.

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Grbic; Cankaya, Yigit, Roco, Kurukalip; Johnson, Kranevitter; Cukur, Serginho, Larsson; Fofana

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Bayazit, Kapacak, Denswil, Kocaman, Burak; Bennasser; Mane, Soyalp, Benes, Cardoso; Tuci

We say: Fatih Karagumruk 2-1 Kayserispor

Both sides have struggled badly this season, but Karagumruk’s home advantage and better attacking output could make the difference in this basement clash.

The hosts have scored twice as many goals as Kayserispor in recent weeks and will fancy their chances against a defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 games, and with Fofana leading the line, Karagumruk should have just enough quality to edge this contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.