Fenerbache will be looking to continue their superb form when they host Konyaspor in the Super Lig. This is the 47th time that these teams have faced off. The hosts leading the head-to-head record 35 victories to 9 losses, with 6 draws.
Preview (Fenerbahce vs. Konyaspor)
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray emerged as the front-runners in the first half of the 2023–24 Super Lig season. Both teams pulling away from the field and leading by 14 points over Trabzonspor in third place. Just before the start of the Saudi Arabian New Year, Fener and Gala were scheduled to play for the Turkish Super Cup. However, the clubs announced that there were “some problems” with the event’s organization. However, The Yellow Canaries began 2024 with a trip to Istanbulspor, the relegation favorites. They scored five goals while giving up one to maintain their lead in the league standings.
Ismail Kartal’s team has scored 49 goals in the first 18 league games, 14 more than Gala. They have also given up six more goals than its continental rivals this season. This season, the hosts have dominated at home, winning two of the 29 available points and going undefeated in their previous three games with a draw. Last season, they defeated this opponent 4-0 at this same location. Konyaspor, meantime, had a difficult stretch between mid-September and mid-November. They went eight games without a win, comprising six losses and two draws.
The Anatolian Eagles’ poor performance not only put them in the relegation zone but also significantly influenced the team’s decision to fire Serbian coach Aleksandar Stanojevic towards the end of October. After losing all three of his games in charge, Hakan Keles, a former Giresunspor manager, won his first game back in control at the end of November against Kasimpasa. He then finished the year with three more points, defeating Kayserispor on Christmas Eve.
Team News
The hosts will have access to Hakan Yandas after he completes his suspension for a second yellow against Kayserispor. In that game, Fred received a straight red card. He won’t be able to play again until the weekend against Gaziantep. Lincoln is questionable because of an ACL injury. Miha Zajc (muscle) and Luan Peres (knee) are both sidelined until mid-January owing to injuries. Bright Osayi-Samuel and Alexander Djiku were both called up to represent Nigeria and Ghana at the 2017 African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
The question for the visitors is whether Paul Bernardoni will ever suit up for Konyaspor again. The goalkeeper wrote a formal letter to FIFA protesting the non-payment of his salary. Two weeks ago, Bernardoni was sanctioned out of the squad, and it’s thought that Sokol Cikalleshi was dropped from the first team for the same reason. Due to injuries, Gokhan Tore (ankle) and Mohammed Demir (ACL) will both miss this game; Bruno Paz is abroad on Angolan international duty, and Francisco Calvo will be out due to a series of yellow cards.
Fenerbahce 3-1 Konyaspor
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