Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 March 2024, 12:58
Round 28 of the Turkish Super Lig pits Konyaspor against Adana Demirspor at Torku Arena, with both sides looking to increase their respective point-gap over the bottom four.

Four points separate both teams heading into this game, with the hosts in 14th with 31 points while the visitors are 10th with 35 points.

Match preview

Konyaspor secured a 2-0 victory over Pendikspor to take them out of the bottom four, increasing their chances of remaining in the top-flight at the end of this season.

Sokol Cikalleshi gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute before Valon Ethemi sealed the win with a second in the 73rd minute.

The Anatolian Eagles, who have endured a torrid season so far, a far cry from last season when they finished in eighth place, are now two points above the drop zone.

They will look to keep the positive run going when they welcome Adana to Torku Arena on Saturday, a side they have lost to in their last two encounters.

However, Konyaspor's last victory over Adana came in 2022 on home soil, and this could fuel their confidence heading into this fixture.

Fahrudin Omerovic's side have also won their last home games against Hatayspor and Ankaragucu respectively.

Adana head into this match having recorded their first win since December 24, a run that saw them fail to win in 11 matches across all competitions, including 10 league games and a Turkish Cup exit in the hands of third-tier 24 Erzincanspor.

Mario Balotelli's 27th-minute penalty was enough to seal maximum points for the Blue Lightnings, who are now in the top half of the table.

Like their hosts, Adana are having an entirely different campaign compared to last season when they clinched European qualification.

Hikmet Karaman's side are six points above the first team in the bottom four and another poor run could see them in real danger of relegation battle.

With that in mind, the Blue Lightnings will look to secure a first away win to help their course when they travel to face Konyaspor on Saturday, as all of their eight league victories have been on home soil.

Karaman will hope his side can replicate the 2-1 win they recorded in their last visit to Torku Arena, which was their first since 1997.

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

W

L

W

W

Konyaspor form (all competitions):

Adana Demirspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

Konyaspor will be without Adil Demirbag and Cebrail Karayel, who are both out until late March with muscle injuries.

Cikalleshi should lead the line once again looking to add to his nine league goals, while Steven Nzonzi will play in front of the defence.

Semih Guler will be the only absentee for Adana as he serves a one-match suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

Ismail Cokcalis is expected to replace him in the center of the defence, playing alongside Andrew Gravillon.

Balotelli is again expected to lead the line in attack after scoring his fifth league goal in nine appearances last time out.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Slowik; Oguz, Damjanovic, Yazgili, Haubert; N'Zonzi; Uglun, Dikmen, Ndao, Prip; Cikalleshi

Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:

Mahammadaliyev; Atal, Gravillon, Cokcalis, Mohammadi; Akbaba, Maestro; Sari, Mendoza, Erdogan; Balotelli

We say: Konyaspor 1-0 Adana Demirspor

Konyaspor are enjoying a good run and have been solid at home in recent games. Adana, on the other hand, have been poor on the road and are yet to record any away win. We think that the hosts will edge this and extend their home run.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield.