Preview: Konyaspor vs. Giresunspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Giresunspor currently sit 16th in the Turkish Super Lig, only two points above the relegation zone, and they face a tough test on Friday, when they travel to face Konyaspor.

The hosts are in good form heading into this encounter, comfortably sitting second, seven points better off than third place, but nine points behind leaders Trabzonspor.

Match preview

Konyaspor have only lost once in their last 10 matches in all competitions, and they continued their good defensive record last time out, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Altay.

Ahmed Hassan Koka converted a penalty in the 67th minute to secure the three points for Ilhan Palut's side, who have only conceded 16 goals in 22 league matches, the best record in the division.

After suffering their first defeat on home soil last month, Konyaspor did bounce back in their following outing at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu, meaning that Friday's hosts are strong favourites.

Despite only scoring two goals in their last two games, which have been enough to secure a maximum return on points in that time, Konyaspor will want to improve on their clinical edge in front of goal, having created a wealth of chances in those two matches.

Konyaspor should not be fooled by Giresunspor's league position, as the visitors are expected to be really organised when they are out of possession, claiming a better defensive record than more than half of the teams in the top flight.

However, Giresunspor do need to bounce back after Alanyaspor inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Hakan Keles's side last time out, with two early goals from the away team seemingly settling the game inside six minutes.

The Super Lig is congested in and around the fight for survival positions, with Giresunspor able to climb up to 13th place on gameweek 24, while they could also drop into the relegation zone.

Keles's side have been awarded the most penalties in Turkey this season, along with Trabzonspor, meaning that Konyaspor are likely to need to be extra disciplined when Giresunspor are travelling into the 18-yard box.

Not only do Giresunspor win penalties for themselves, but they have conceded six this season, among the most in the Super Lig, suggesting that there could be a spot kick or two in this encounter.

Both sets of fans will be hoping for a more entertaining encounter than the reverse fixture, which ended in a goalless draw with Konyaspor failing to register a single shot on target.

Team News

Konyaspor striker Artem Kravets has not featured all season but has returned to training; however, he is unlikely to feature in the matchday squad yet.

Adil Demirbag, Zymer Bytyqi, Eray Birnican and Sokol Cikalleshi are all sidelined due to injury and will not be present for Konyaspor on Friday, or few the next few games to follow either.

Goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic picked up his fourth yellow card of the campaign last time out against Altay, meaning that he will serve his one-match suspension this week, with Erten Ersu expected to come into the side between the posts.

Koka will continue to lead the line for Konyaspor, looking to score in consecutive games for the second time this season and add to his four league goals.

Giresunspor left-back Emre Tasdemir and centre-back Douglas are both expected to return this month from muscle injuries, but Friday's outing is likely to have come too soon for the defensive duo.

Erol Akdag remains sidelined for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, but Hayrullah Bilazer could be fit enough for a place on the bench after being forced off with an injury just 25 minutes into their last match.

Serginho will return to the side after serving his one-match suspension for picking up his fourth yellow card against Trabzonspor, and he will support Mehmet Umut Nayir and Shapi Suleymanov in attack for the visitors.

Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Ersu; Guilherme, Bardakci, Yardimci, Skubic; Hadziahmetovic, Dikmen; Michalak, Cekiki, Karademir; Koka

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:
Kocuk; Behich, Perez, Diarra, Picinciol; Flavio , Yavru; Serginho, Diabate, Suleymanov; Nayir

We say: Konyaspor 1-0 Giresunspor

With both teams holding good defensive records to their name, it is likely to be a low-scoring affair on Friday, but the hosts should have enough quality to defeat their opposition.

There is a lot riding on the remainder of the season for both teams, but the priority for Giresunspor will be to win the matches against teams around them in particular.

Previews by email