Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Konyaspor and Sivasspor, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Konyaspor will hope to extend their unbeaten run to three matches when they host Sivasspor at Torku Arena in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be aiming to win two consecutive matches in the Super Lig for the first time in this campaign.
Match preview
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Konyaspor successfully ended a three-match winless streak last time out, after securing a 1-0 victory away at Samsunspor last Saturday as Pedrinho‘s 30-minute goal proved to be the decisive strike.
Following a 3-2 away win over Kasimpasa on the opening day, the Anatolian Eagles suffered defeats in their next two matches and drew their most recent game before last weekend’s victory, which has left them in seventh place with seven points from five matches.
In addition to the win, Ali Camdali will be particularly pleased with his team’s solid defence, having kept clean sheets in their last two league matches.
The Konya-based side will face Sivasspor in their next game, aiming to end a six-game winless run on home soil against the visitors.
The Anatolian Eagles have yet to secure a victory in their last three home matches in the Super Lig, including the home games they have played in this campaign, already suffering a loss to Galatasaray before drawing with Kayserispor.
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Meanwhile, Sivasspor ended a two-match losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Gaziantep at the New Sivas 4 Eylul Stadium last Saturday.
The Braves fell behind early when Alexandru Maxim converted a penalty for Gaz in the sixth minute, but they equalised before half-time through Rey Manaj in the 37th minute.
Bulent Uygun‘s side restored the lead in the 69th minute through Keita Balde, who was subsequently sent off a minute later, but they managed to score a third goal through Murat Paluli.
Although Kenan Kodro pulled one back for Gaziantep in the 88th minute, Sivasspor held on for the win, which leaves them with seven points and in eighth place, level on points and goal difference with Saturday’s opponents but behind on goals scored.
A first consecutive win of the season would see the Yigidos overtake the Anatolian Eagles, and their record of three wins in their last five away games in the league suggests they are capable of achieving this.
Konyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Konyaspor form (all competitions):
Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:
Sivasspor form (all competitions):
Team News
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Konyaspor will remain without summer signing Josip Calusic, who is recovering from a ligament injury and is not expected to return until October.
Pedrinho has scored three times for the hosts this season, the most of any player on the team, and they will be looking to him to make the difference once more.
Meanwhile, Sivasspor will be without Balde for this one, as he misses out through suspension for being sent off last time out.
Mehmet Albayrak remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury, with his anticipated return in April, while Alaaddin Okumus is out with an ankle injury.
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Boranijasevic, Bazoer, Demirbag, Guilherme; Jevtovic, Akyol; Aleksic, Pedrinho, Ndao; Nayir
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Nikolic; Paluli, Sundberg, Radakovic, Camara; Charisis; Bieganski, Pritchard, Turgunboev, Ciftci; Manaj
We say: Konyaspor 1-1 Sivasspor
Both teams have performed at identical levels so far, which is why we expect this clash to end in a draw after the final whistle.
Konyaspor have struggled to pick up wins at home against Sivasspor over the last five years, but we think they will have enough to get a draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.