There is a sense of quiet momentum building around Konyaspor as they prepare to host already-relegated Adana Demirspor in what, on the surface, might look like a routine end-of-season Turkish Super Lig fixture.
However, the stakes, at least for the home side, remain very real, as they are not quite safe yet, but four wins in their last five league games has given them good breathing space.
Match preview
© Imago
Konyaspor have responded well to the end of season pressure, with a late winner from Ogulcan Ulgun securing a 3-2 victory away at Hatayspor in their last league game, ending a seven-match winless streak on the road in the Super Lig.
That made it four wins from five in the league and two league victories in a row, and while their midweek 5-1 hammering by Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup semi-final was a sharp reminder of their limitations, it does not undo the progress the Anatolian Eagle have made in the league recently.
Recep Ucar knows the job is not done, but he will be encouraged by how his side are scraping when it matters most, with their home form having been especially key.
Four straight 1-0 wins in front of their own fans tell a story of defensive discipline and doing just enough to get over the line - another clean sheet on Sunday would mark five in a row in the league at home, and six across all competitions, which is no small feat considering the pressure Konyaspor have been under.
There is also the incentive of history, as the hosts having won the reverse fixture 1-0, have the chance to complete their first-ever top-flight double over the relegated visitors.
© Imago
As for Adana Demirspor, there is little getting around it, with the 1-0 loss to Trabzonspor last time out making it five defeats on the bounce and 14 games without a win, matching their record for such a run earlier in the campaign.
Mustafa Avci's side remain stuck on minus two points at the bottom of the standings, while they have conceded a league-high 74 goals and lost 24 games, more than any other team in this campaign.
With six more games left for them to play, the visitors could match the record number of losses in a Super Lig season, held by Kardemir Karabukspor, who lost 28 matches in 2017-18.
The Blue Lightnings are also just 16 goals away from conceding 91 times this season, which is the record for goals allowed by any team in the top flight, set by Adanaspor in 2000-01.
With just two wins all season, Adana are also on track for the fewest wins in a Super Lig season, held jointly by Diyarbakırspor (1981-82), Konyaspor (1992-93), Zeytinburnu (1996-97), Adanaspor (2000-01) and Ankaragucu (2011-12), who all won just two matches.
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
Team News
© Imago
Ulgun is expected to slot into the Konyaspor backline, filling in for Adil Demirbag, who is suspended for this fixture.
Elsewhere, Emmanuel Boateng, Danijel Aleksic, Hamidou Keyta and Tunahan Tasci all remain sidelined through injury.
In more positive news, Guilherme has returned to full fitness and is in line to start, adding some much-needed experience and control in midfield.
Andreaw Gravillon continues his recovery from a long-term injury and will play no part in this match for Adana.
With Nabil Alioui ruled out, Tayfun Aydogan is expected to step into the starting line-up in midfield, while Deniz Donmezer has shaken off a knock and is available for selection again.
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Bazoer, Ulgun, Yazgili; Guilherme, Ibrahimoglu, Jevtovic, Ndao; Erdogan, Pedrinho, Kramer
Adana Demirspor possible starting lineup:
Donmezer; Yildiz, Ersoy, Kalender; Kurtulan, Maestro, Celik, Aydogan, Burak; Kavrazli, Ambeytov
We say: Konyaspor 2-0 Adana Demirspor
Konyaspor should make light work of this one, with their solid home form and defensive discipline likely proving too much for a demoralised Adana Demirspor side.
The visitors are already relegated, short on quality, and lacking any real fight, making this set to be a routine win for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
