Preview: Konyaspor vs. Caykur Rizespor - prediction, team news, lineups

Like their opponents, the visitors have also made an encouraging start to the campaign after collecting seven points from their first four games.

Match preview

After losing just two of their final 14 league games of the 2022-23 season, Konyaspor have picked up where they left off to make a positive start to the new campaign.

The season began with consecutive 1-1 draws against Istanbulspor and Antalyaspor, before they claimed maximum points with a 2-0 victory over Gaziantep.

Konyaspor followed that positive result with a narrow away win against Istanbul Basaksehir courtesy of Sokol Cikalleshi's third goal of the season.

Including last season, Konyaspor have now gone six Turkish Super Lig games without a defeat, and they return to the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium this weekend with hopes of extending their unbeaten home run to six league matches.

They also will be hoping to record three successive league victories for the first time since August/September 2022 when they enjoyed a four-game winning run.

Caykur Rizespor, meanwhile, won promotion from the second tier last season to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

After finishing in the bottom half of the table in their last four Turkish Super Lig campaign, their main goal prior to the season would have been to avoid a relegation fight.

However, the early signs suggest that Caykur Rizespor could set the expectations a little higher after they bounced back from an opening day defeat to Adana Demirspor to embark on a three-game unbeaten run.

Another victory followed in their final game before the international break when a Dal Varesanovic strike proved enough to guide his side to a 1-0 home win over Fatih Karagumruk.

Their first point of the season came courtesy of a goalless draw with Alanyaspor, before they got the better of Trabzonspor in a five-goal thriller.

Like their hosts, Caykur Rizespor also have the chance to claim three consecutive victories — something they have not achieved since 2020.

Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:

D

D

D

D

W

W

Caykur Rizespor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

D

W

W

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Team News

Konyaspor are still without long-term absentee Muhammet Demir, although Adil Demirbag is set to return to action after serving a three-match suspension.

Summer addition Steven N'Zonzi, who made his debut as a substitute against Istanbul Basaksehir, is in contention to make his first start for the club on Saturday.

After joining Konyaspor earlier this month, Nelson Oliveira is likely to feature among the substitutes, as he awaits his debut.

As for the visitors, they have made a number of signings in the closing stage of the transfer window, including Casper Hojer, Mustafa Sengul, Adolf Gaich and Martin Minchev.

Jonjo Shelvey has also arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest, and he could be on the bench for Saturday's contest.

Benhur Keser will continue to lead the line for the visitors, and he will be looking to add to the two goals he has scored this season.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Oguz, Demirbag, Calvo, Guilherme; Dikmen, N'Zonzi; Muric, Cicaldau, Michalak; Cikalleshi

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:

Akkan; Sahin, Mocsi, Topcu, Pehlivan; Pala, Olawoyin; Sauer, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Keser

We say: Konyaspor 2-1 Caykur Rizespor

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