Konyaspor had a great previous season, ending the competition at the third position and earning the ticket for the group stage of Europa League. They have opened up the new season with a point taken away to Rizespor, in the game where they could have earned something more, with the opposition’s equalizer coming quite late during the game.
They took the lead in 55th minute with a goal from central defender Vukovic, but conceded the equalizer just four minutes before the final whistle with a goal from Bassan. Overall, it was quite an equal game from both sides, with the visitors having more of the ball possession, but the home team threatening a bit more. Not that impressive performance for a team that was third and aims to continue in the same manner this season as well.
They are now facing up against the current champions and no doubt that very difficult task is ahead of them. Home side should be playing in 4-4-2 formation with Bajic and Rangelov as strikers. Left back Barry Douglas continues to be injured, as well as midfielder Ali Camdali, both without performing in the new season. That means that Mehmet Uslu will get the position of a left back this time.
After defeat in a Super Cup game against Galatasaray on penalties, Besiktas responded with much better performance last weekend at home, when the team earned 4:1 victory over Alanyaspor and opened Super Lig in the best possible way. They were completely dominant from the first whistle, opening the scoreline already in sixth minute via Ozyakup, while the things were even easier once they doubled up the lead in 43rd minute via Sahan.
Tosun scored twice in the second halftime, in 58th minute via penalty and in 78th, while the visitors were only able to reduce the deficit towards the end of the game with a goal from Akbaba from penalty spot in fourth minute of additional time. Hosts looked really well and maybe what’s the most important, effective with the chances they had. Visiting side should be playing in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Tosun as number nine, plus Sahan, Quaresma and Ozyakup as offensive support to him.
They allowed Mustafa Pektemek to move on a loan deal to Istanbul Baskasehir, bringing probably even more pressure to Cenk Tosun, but the player seems to be in fine form, netting two in their victory over Alanyaspor. Jose Sosa has moved to Milan, with the Turkish champions bringing Talisca on loan from Benfica, though the Brazilian is set to start on the bench. After a very good performance in the first round, it’s possible that we see unchanged squad from Besiktas.
Konyaspor are undefeated in their last 15 home matches (Super Lig).
If Besiktas continues with the similar performance that they had last weekend, it will be really hard for Konyaspor to stop them. Team looks very well early in the decent, while the offensive lineup seems to be in right form. Konyaspor didn’t impress in the first round and will surely be very hard for them to once again be such a dark horses as they were in previous season.
Bet: Besiktas -0.25 Asian handicap @ 1.96
