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

Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu will play host to an intriguing Turkish Super Lig contest this Sunday as Konyaspor welcome Gaziantep.

The two sides arrive in contrasting moods after their opening games, but both will be eager to lay down a marker early in the campaign.

Match preview

Konyaspor are now in their 13th consecutive season at the top level of Turkish football.

Last term’s 11th-place finish was an improvement on the year before, when they flirted with relegation but still fell short of the club’s ambitions.

Manager Recep Ucar remains in the dugout and has been tasked with steering the team into the top half.

The summer saw some noteworthy arrivals, including Romanian winger Marius Stefanescu, a player with Champions League qualifying experience at FCSB.

His debut came in a statement opening-day win, as Konyaspor dismantled Eyupspor 4-1 away from home.

Umut Nayir struck twice in the first 21 minutes, Enis Bardhi converted from the spot before the break, and Adil Demirbag rounded off the scoring in the closing stages.

For Gaziantep, last season was a tense ride, ending in 14th place with 45 points, eight above the drop zone.

A poor end to the campaign cost Selcuk İnan his job, and while caretaker Ibrahim Kursat Daloglu saw out the final matches, results did not improve.

This summer, the club turned to experienced coach Ismet Tasdemir in the hope of stabilising, but early signs suggest there is work to do.

The visitors have not won in ten competitive outings, stretching back to April’s 2-1 victory over already-relegated Hatayspor.

Pre-season offered little cheer, and their 3-0 defeat to defending champions Galatasaray on matchday one only deepened concerns.

Facing a Konyaspor side buoyed by a flying start will be a stiff challenge, especially given Gaziantep’s record of three defeats in their last six league meetings with Sunday’s opponents.

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Gaziantep Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Konyaspor are likely to stick with the core of the XI that saw off Eyupspor.

However, they remain without Abdurrahman Uresin, Semih Kocaturk, Emmanuel Boateng, and Berke Celik, all ineligible for selection. Midfielder Ufuk Akyol is also sidelined with a calf injury.

Gaziantep’s absentee list is equally concerning. Furkan Soyalp and Eren Kuzucu are both unavailable through registration issues, goalkeeper Burak Bozan serves a suspension following his red card, and Jonathan M’Bakata faces a lengthy layoff with a cruciate ligament injury.

Despite losing key loanees from last season such as David Okereke, Bruno Viana and Halil Dervisoglu, Gaziantep have reinforced with the likes of Kevin Rodrigues (Kasimpasa), Juninho Bacuna (Al-Wehda), Myenty Abena (Spartak Moscow), and Enver Kulasin (Borac Banja Luka).

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Deniz; Utku, Mehmet, Calusic, Yasir; Mucahit, Morten, Tunahan; Kaan, Bostan, Bardhi

Gaziantep possible starting lineup:

Dioudis; Guler, Kizildag, Abena, Rodrigues; Ndiaye, Ozcicek; Sorescu, Maxim, Kulasin; Boateng

We say: Konyaspor 2-0 Gaziantep

Konyaspor’s sharp attacking start to the season, coupled with home advantage, makes them heavy favourites. Gaziantep’s struggles on the road and lengthy winless run only add to the challenge.

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