Preview: Genclerbirligi vs Antalyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

After making a dream start to the new Super Lig season, Antalyaspor Kulubu will travel to face newly-promoted Genclerbirligi Spor Kulubu on Sunday at the Eryaman Stadium.

The hosts suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening match and will be aiming to bounce back in front of their home fans, while the Scorpions hope to build on the momentum from their first-game victory.

Match preview

Genclerbirligi began their 2025-26 season with a 2-1 defeat against Samsunspor, with Metehan Mimaroglu scoring the only goal for the away side.

Now back at Eryaman Stadium, the Ankara side will be eager to claim their first win of the season in their first match back on home soil since earning promotion.

Huseyin Eroglu’s men finished second in the TFF 1. Lig last season, sealing a return to the Super Lig for the first time since 2020-21.

Eroglu, who took charge last season, played a pivotal role in their promotion and will now aim to ensure the club consolidates its place in the top tier.

Survival will be the primary target for Genclerbirligi this season, but they must adapt quickly to the pace and quality of the division.

Their summer saw notable departures, including 30-year-old midfielder Bugra Cagıran, winger Amilton, and centre-back Sinan Osmanoglu - all regulars last season who left on free transfers.

To offset those losses, the club recruited several new players, including midfielder Ogulcan Ulgun and former Galatasaray attacker Henry Onyekuru.

Genclerbirligi’s record against Antalyaspor offers little encouragement - they have won just two of the last 10 meetings, drawing three and losing five.

Antalyaspor, meanwhile, began the season with a 2-1 victory over Kasimpasa, courtesy of goals from Guray Vural and Nikola Storm, while Cafu Ribeiro netted for the opposition.

The Scorpions have been a regular mid-table to lower-half side since returning to the top flight in 2015–16, but the 2024–25 season was a struggle.

They collected 44 points from 12 wins, eight draws, and 16 defeats, finishing 15th - their lowest position in four years - and ended the campaign without a win in their final four games.

Emre Belozoglu, who took charge in January, has already overseen significant changes to the squad, with several departures and arrivals.

Starting the new season with a win will have boosted the team's confidence, and the 44-year-old will hope his side can build consistency to target a more comfortable finish this time around.

Genclerbirligi Turkish Super Lig form:

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Henry Onyekuru remains sidelined after missing Genclerbirligi’s opening match through injury.

Peter Etebo was substituted in the 42nd minute last weekend due to a knock and may be replaced in the starting lineup by Samed Onur.

New signings Dimitrios Goutas, Gokhan Akkan, Pedro Pereira, and Moussa Kyabou all made their debuts in the opening match, while others such as Ogulcan Ulgun and Dilhan Demir are still awaiting their first appearances.

For Antalyaspor, Swedish winger Sam Larsson and former Tottenham Hotspur forward Andros Townsend have departed, while loan arrivals Poyraz Yildirim and Tomas Cvancara have strengthened the attack.

The visitors will be without Erdogan Yesilyurt due to a long-term knee injury, and Bahadir Ozturk is still regaining full fitness after featuring for only 38 minutes last weekend.

New arrival Lautaro Giannetti could be handed his first start in defence, while fellow newcomers Dogukan Sinik, Huseyin Turkmen, and Kerem Kayaarasi may also feature.

Genclerbirligi possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Dursun, Goutas, Zuzek, Pereira; Onur, Kyabou; Mimaroglu, Nalepa, Uzum; Popa

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:

Yigiter; Van de Streek, Sari, Giannetti, Paal; Kaluzinski, Dikmen; Vural, Omur, Storm; Cvancara