Preview:Fenerbahce vs Kocaelispor - prediction, team news, lineups

Fenerbahce will welcome Kocaelispor on Saturday, determined to avoid another early setback in the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig season.

The Yellow Canaries were held to a frustrating goalless draw away at Goztepe in their first league outing, leaving them already playing catch-up to fierce rivals Galatasaray.

Match preview

Fenerbahce’s scheduled opener against Alanyaspor was postponed due to their European commitments, but when they eventually kicked off their domestic campaign against Goztepe, it was a disappointing display.

Despite enjoying a two-man advantage between the 65th and 85th minute, Jose Mourinho’s side failed to break the deadlock before Jayden Oosterwolde was shown red.

That stalemate followed a concerning pattern, with the Yellow Canaries going from netting five goals in their Champions League qualifier against Feyenoord to failing to score in back-to-back games since.

They were again left frustrated in midweek, drawing 0-0 at home to Benfica in the playoff round, even after playing the final 13 minutes with an extra man.

Saturday marks Fenerbahce’s first home league game of the campaign, and supporters will expect nothing less than three points against newly-promoted opposition.

Historically, the Yellow Canaries have dominated this fixture, though the last competitive meeting dates back to the 2008-09 season when Kocaelispor were relegated.

The visitors’ return to the top flight has been far from smooth, losing both of their opening games by identical 1-0 scorelines, first away to Trabzonspor, then at home to Samsunspor.

The latter defeat was particularly agonising, with midfielder Samet Yalcin sent off just before half time, before goalkeeper Aleksandar Jovanovic’s late own goal sealed their fate.

Selcuk Inan, appointed over the summer, faces early pressure to find solutions, though their lack of goals is not for a lack of chances, having had six shots on target over their opening two matches 25 attempts.

However, the Gulf have lost their last three away fixtures stretching back to last season in the second tier, conceding eight goals and scoring just once in that run.

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

Kocaelispor Turkish Super Lig form:

Kocaelispor form (all competitions):

Team News

Fenerbahce will be without up to four players, with Oosterwolde leading the quartet, serving suspension following his red card from the opening match.

While the trio of Mert Hakan Yandas, Cenk Tosun and Rodrigo Becao remain sidelined through injury until next month.

Kocaelispor have also been dealt a major blow, with summer loan signing Mateusz Wieteska ruled out until 2026 after suffering a cruciate ligament injury on debut.

Midfielder Yalcin is suspended after last weekend’s dismissal, while Rigoberto Rivas is a doubt ahead of the trip to Istanbul.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Egribayat; Muldur, Skirniar, Djiku; Semedo, Amrabat, Fred, Brown; Szymanski; Duran, En-Nesyri

Kocaelispor possible starting lineup:

Jovanovic; Haidara, Dijksteel Appindangoye, Oguz; Boende, Show, Tunali; Mendes, Petkovic, Caglayan

We say: Fenerbahce 2-0 Kocaelispor

Fenerbahce are heavy favourites heading into this clash with Kocaelispor, boasting superior quality, depth and experience across the pitch.

With pressure awaiting if the hosts fail to register a win here, they will be up for it in fronf of the home fans, which would be too much for the visitors to handle.

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