Preview: Konyaspor vs. Adana Demirspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Konyaspor will play host to Adana Demirspor on Tuesday in what will be a poignant occasion following the tragic death of Konyaspor defender Ahmet Calik.

The hosts have sold their tickets for 6 Turkish Lira, as a tribute to Calik who donned the number 6 jersey, and Tuesday's encounter will undoubtedly be filled with emotion.

Match preview

When the first whistle goes on Tuesday, the hosts will try their utmost to focus upon matters on the field, although it will be a difficult and emotive evening for all those involved with Konyaspor.

Before a 1-0 defeat against Sivasspor in their last outing, Konyaspor had enjoyed an unbeaten seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

In their last 12 league games, Ilhan Palut's side have lost on just two occasions, and such an impressive run of form has resulted in Konyaspor occupying second place in the Turkish Super Lig.

Despite having a game in hand, catching runaway leaders Trabzonspor may prove tough with Konyaspor 11 points adrift of the table toppers.

Although after finishing 11th last season, Konyaspor will be eyeing up a place in European competition and having lost just once at home this term, they will be confident of holding onto second place by picking up three points on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Adana Demirspor sit in fourth place, and they enter the midweek contest five points behind their opponents.

They are currently unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, and in their most recent outing, they picked up a point at home to Kayserispor.

Vincenzo Montella's side looked set to claim a third consecutive victory after Britt Assombalonga gave Adana Demirspor the lead in the 26th minute, but they were denied the three points when Carlos Mane equalised late on.

Despite that late setback, Montella will be confident that his side can achieve a positive result on Tuesday, especially as they possess the third best away record in the lead.

In fact, Adana Demirspor have avoided defeat in four of their five last away games, which will give them confidence ahead of the midweek encounter.

Team News

Ogulcan Ulgun is all unavailable for the hosts due to injury, while Artem Kravets and Paul-Jose M'Poku are rated doubtful for Tuesday's contest.

Meanwhile, Konrad Michalak is expected to keep his place in the side after starting Konyaspor's last three competitive fixtures.

Sokol Cikalleshi will lead the line for the hosts, and he will be looking to add to his five-goal league tally.

As for Adana Demirspor, Mario Balotelli is ruled out due to coronavirus, while Simon Deli is currently representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jonas Svensson and Benjamin Stambouli could return to the starting lineup after they both missed the weekend encounter against Kayserispor due to suspension.

Assombalonga took his league tally for the season to six when he scored on Saturday, and the former Nottingham Forest man is expected to lead the line once again on Tuesday.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Sehic; Skubic, Demirbag, Bardakci, Guilherme; Dikmen, Hadziahmetovic, Rahmanovic; Michalak, Bytyqi, Cikalleshi

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:

Muric; Svensson, Akaydin, Sanuc, Camdal; Inler, Stambouli, Belhanda; Akgun, Vargas, Assombalonga

We say: Konyaspor 1-1 Adana Demirspor

Konyaspor have lost once at home in the league this season, so Adana Demirspor's hopes of victory may be slim, but we think that the visitors have enough quality to pick up a point on Tuesday.