Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Besiktas vs. Konyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 May 2022, 11:27
When the Turkish Super Lig fixtures were announced at the beginning of the season, hosts Besiktas would have no doubt believed they would be the side battling it out for a European position.

Instead, it is the visitors Konyapsor who will be looking ahead to continental football next season, with their end-of-campaign trip to face Besiktas a chance for them to wrap up an impressive year.

Match preview

Still in contention for a Champions League berth, their inferior goal difference to second-placed Fenerbahce means Konyapsor will likely have to settle for Europa Conference League qualification instead.

A third place finish in the Super Lig is nothing to be sniffed at for Konyaspor, who will be finishing ahead of not only Saturday's opponents Besiktas, but also fellow Turkish giant Galatasaray.

Had their form been more consistent across the final months of the campaign, there is nothing to suggest Konyapsor could not have finished inside the top two, but three defeats from their last six league matches has allowed Fenerbahce a free run at second spot.

Still, Konyapsor will be keen to finish the season in strong form, while looking to take an impressive scalp against 21-times Turkish champions Besiktas.

As for the hosts, the end of the current campaign cannot come quick enough, with their current position of sixth well below their predicted finish at the beginning of the season.

As reigning champions, it was somewhat unthinkable Besiktas would finish outside the European positions, yet the Istanbul-based outfit will be without continental football next season.

While it may help them regain a footing at the top of the table next season, the calibre of player they may miss out on due to their absence in Europe could cost the Black Eagles in their summer recruitment.

History does stand on the side of Besiktas however, as they have lost only two of the previous 10 matches between the pair.

While an impressive record, Konyaspor will take confidence from the fact one of those victories against Besiktas came in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

Team News

Discipline has cost Besiktas at times this season, with the Black Eagles without two players due to suspensions this weekend.

Midfield duo Josef de Souza and Valentin Rosier will be missing for the hosts due to red cards picked up in recent weeks.

Adding to their misery, defensive stalwart Ridvan Yilmaz will also miss the clash, as he will be out with a thigh problem.

Unlike their hosts, Konyapsor have close to a full squad to pick from, with midfielder Paul-Jose M'Poku the only absentee for the visitors.

Sokol Cikalleshi goals have helped Konysapor this season, and the veteran attacker is expected to play some part in this final day clash.

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Bilgin; Montero, Welinton, Saatci; Teixeira, Ilkhan, Bozdogan, Larin; N'Koudou, Meras, Ghezzal

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Sehic; Skubic, Cagiran. Bardakci, Haubert; Ulgun, Hadziahmetovic; Michalak, Cekici, Bytyqi; Cikalleshi

We say: Besiktas 2-2 Konyaspor

Two sides ending the season in contrasting fortune, Besiktas will be hoping to finish a disappointing campaign on a high with a victory over Konyaspor.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League stars Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet as Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer move. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will complete their quadruple header when they face off in Thursday's Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday, Barcelona Women will face Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-final tie. 25 March 2025 talksport.com There may be a sky full of stars at Wembley in September, but there will be a pitch full of stars two hours north. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will be fit for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga clash against Osasuna, although Pau Cubarsi faces a battle to prove his fitness in time for the home fixture. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton's Tyler Dibling could be at the centre of a transfer battle in the summer following reports that RB Leipzig have contacted the player's camp. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will return to La Liga action for Thursday's rearranged meeting with Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has encouraged the Citizens to prioritise signing at least two "technically brilliant" midfielders in the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won't be the last player to depart his boyhood club. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are set to come up against a former player at this summer's World Cup who has a staggering trophy record as a coach. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann claims that online abuse remains an issue despite her ever-growing popularity. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Ally McCoist has omitted two of the Premier League's most celebrated stars from his all-time top three attackers from the division. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mohamed Salah undisputedly has a greater Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to enter talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract at the Emirates. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Jr are among SIX marquee signings being plotted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Stan Collymore has issued a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly dreaming of a move to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following the path that Michael Owen and Steve McManaman once ventured down, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been unable to resist the bright lights of the Bernabeu. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form at one specific Premier League club if he leaves Manchester City this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts has conceded that Riccardo Calafiori may be "susceptible" to frequent injuries following his latest blow on international duty with Italy. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was impressed by Morgan Rogers' 'wonderful' performance against Latvia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Mark Clattenburg has opened up on the explosive interactions he shared with some of the Premier League's most iconic managers.