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

Two of the six teams yet to record a win in the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig campaign will meet on Saturday as Gaziantep host Genclerbirligi at Gaziantep Stadium.

Both sides have played two games so far, though the newly-promoted visitors sit higher in the standings thanks to a superior goal difference.

Match preview

Despite appointing experienced coach Ismet Tasdemir this summer, Gaziantep have endured a difficult start, conceding six goals in two matches without finding the net.

While their opening-day 3-0 defeat to defending champions Galatasaray could be excused, a loss by the same scoreline against Konyaspor last weekend will have raised serious concerns.

The Falcons sit bottom of the table, with their biggest worry being a lack of direction at both ends of the pitch, having shipped the most goals in the league after two rounds, while remaining one of six teams yet to score.

Supporters will hope that a home clash against a newly-promoted opponent sparks an improvement, and they will take confidence from having won both of their previous Super Lig home games against Genclerbirligi.

However, Gaziantep’s home form has been poor stretching back to last season, with no wins in their last four league matches at Gaziantep Stadium and three defeats in that run.

Genclerbirligi, who finished second in the TFF 1. Lig last season to secure promotion, are also struggling to adapt to life back in the top flight.

The Ankara outfit opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Samsunspor, where Metehan Mimaroglu scored their only goal, before falling to a late 1-0 loss against Antalyaspor in their first home match.

Head coach Huseyin Eroglu will now be desperate for his side to collect their first points of the season, and against an out-of-form Gaziantep, this feels like a major opportunity to finally get their campaign moving in the right direction.

The visitors have found this fixture tough in the top flight, winning only once in four attempts, with two defeats and a draw – however, they have enjoyed better success in other competitions, recording two victories in the second division and another triumph in the Turkish Cup.

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

Gaziantep form (all competitions):

Genclerbirligi Turkish Super Lig form:

Genclerbirligi form (all competitions):

Team News

Gaziantep have two long-term absentees in their team, with Ali Mevran Ablak out until April 2026 with a serious knee injury, while Salem M'Bakata is out of the season with the same problem.

The Falcons are expected to have Emmanuel Boateng as the focal point of the attack in this fixture, with the goalscoring burden on him.

Genclerbirligi also have injury issues ahead of this game, with Abdullah Sahindere nursing a cruciate ligament injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for a long time.

Peter Etebo also remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, with a return date set for next month, while Ensar Kemaloglu has a knee injury, making him doubtful.

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Gorgen; Sorescu, Guler, Abena, Rodrigues; Ndiaye; Kozlowski, Bacuna, Maxim, Kulasin; Boateng

Genclerbirligi possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Gaziantep 0-0 Genclerbirligi

Gaziantep and Genclerbirligi could cancel each other out in what looks like a cagey battle, as both sides have shown inconsistency in attack, often struggling to convert chances, making it unlikely for either side to exploit their defensive deficiencies.

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