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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.

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