Konyaspor vs Fenerbahce prediction: match preview and lineups
The 33rd round fixture of the 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig between Konyaspor and Fenerbahce will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium. The championship race is reaching fever pitch: Fenerbahce is desperately trying to stay in touch with Galatasaray at the top, while Konyaspor is aiming to secure their place in the middle of the table.
Match preview
Konyaspor, led by İlhan Palut, comes into this clash sitting 9th with 40 points. The team is riding a wave of confidence: just three days ago, on May 5, the "Green-Whites" sensationally reached the Turkish Cup final, edging out Beşiktaş 1-0 in the semi-final thanks to a late penalty from Enis Bardhi. In the league, Konyaspor have also been rock-solid at home—they are unbeaten in ten straight matches on their own turf. However, the tight schedule and emotional drain after their cup thriller could take a toll on the players' physical condition.
Tactically, Konyaspor are extremely disciplined at home, focusing on defensive compactness and quick counterattacks. Marco Jevtović anchors the midfield and recently secured a win over Fenerbahce in the cup quarterfinal. The hosts know they’ll spend much of the game defending against a fired-up Fenerbahce, so their game plan will surely be about containing the visitors and capitalizing on set pieces whenever possible.
Fenerbahce are second in the table with 70 points, trailing leaders Galatasaray by four points with just two rounds to go. For the Canaries, this is a must-win to keep their title hopes alive. The team has hit a rough patch: after a crushing 0-3 derby loss to Galatasaray at the end of April, Domenico Tedesco was sacked. Now, interim boss Zeki Murat Gole and his staff must urgently revive the squad. The visitors are highly motivated, knowing any slip-up in Konya would officially crown their arch-rivals as champions.
Despite the managerial shake-up, Fenerbahce’s style remains attacking. Their main attacking threat is Talisca, who bagged a hat-trick in the last round against Istanbul Basaksehir, along with Fred and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Expect the Istanbul giants to dominate possession—over 60%—and try to decide the match through the individual brilliance of their stars.
Both teams have significant absentees. Fenerbahce are missing Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio through injury (both expected back mid-May), and first-choice goalkeeper Ederson is suspended after a red card. Konyaspor’s situation is more stable, but the physical condition of their leaders is in doubt after 120 minutes of cup drama. Nevertheless, key players led by Bardhi are ready for action.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Konyaspor have scored first in their last eight matches.
- Four of Fenerbahce’s last five games have seen over two goals scored.
- In the last ten meetings between these sides, Fenerbahce have the edge with six wins, Konyaspor have three, and one game ended level.
- The teams have already met twice this season: Fenerbahce won 4-0 in the league, while Konyaspor triumphed 1-0 in the Turkish Cup quarterfinals.
Probable lineups
- Konyaspor: Ertaş - Bazoer, Yazğılı, Boşluk - Andzouana, Jevtović, Jo, Kutlu - Olaigbe, Bardhi, Svendsen
- Fenerbahce: Günok - Semedo, Söyüncü, Oosterwolde, Mercan - Yüksek, Kanté, Fred - Musaba, Aktürkoğlu, Talisca
Prediction
Fenerbahce are in a do-or-die situation—only a win keeps their title dreams alive. Konyaspor are still basking in their Cup success and may look a bit weary after a gruelling recent match. The Istanbul side’s quality and sheer determination should be enough to secure all three points on the road. My prediction: Fenerbahce win.
