Kocaelispor conceded just four goals in six games and I expect them to park the bus against the superior side Besiktas on Sunday. A home win & under 3.5 goals combo is the best bet.
Key Stats
- Besiktas have won their last 7 home matches.
- Besiktas have won their last 8 matches against Kocaelispor (Super Lig).
- Kocaelispor have lost 3 of their last 4 away matches.
- Kocaelispor have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 13 matches.
Kocaelispor Winless Against Besiktas Since 2002
Besiktas have a 32-7 advantage against Kocaelispor in head to head stats, while 14 of their encounters ended without a winner.
Black Eagles Strong at Home
Besiktas had a couple of slip ups this season in the Super Lig but still sit close to the top, having 12 points after six rounds.
Their performances at home have been impeccable, earning three straight victories against Eyupspor 1-0, Corum 6-2 and Erzurumspor 3-0, while both of defeats came on the road to Alanyaspor 1-0 and Amedspor 3-2.
The Black Eagles also started their Europa League main stage campaign in the best way possible, crushing Marseille 4-1 in Istanbul. Orkun Kokcu didn't appear on the scoresheet but was named man of the match with two assists.
Visitors Struggling Against Big Guns
Kocaelispor are one of the most pleasant surprise packages in the Super Lig this season, winning four out of six encounters and occupying 4th place on the table.
Both of their defeats came on the road, 2-0 against Istanbul Basaksehir and Galatasaray 1-0, creating just one goal chance in these two encounters.
Just before the international break, Kocaelispor hosted Gaziantep and took a 2-0 victory in an open contest (had 1.31-1.03 xG and 19-16 shots).
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Besiktas (4-1-4-1) Alexander Nubel; Michael Murillo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Emirhan Topcu, Ridvan Yilmaz; Salih Ozcan; Vaclav Cerny, Fabio Miretti, Junior Olaitan, Leandro Trossard; Dusan Vlahovic
Besiktas have to adjust without Milot Rashica, who sustained a thigh injury on international duty, while Orkun Kokcu suffers from a toe injury. Furthermore, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi faces a late fitness check, while Dusan Vlahovic recovered from a muscle problem.
Kocaelispor (4-1-4-1) Serhat Oztasdelen; Mehmet Yildiz, Anfernee Dijksteel, Emir Ortakaya, Matej Maglica; Manuel Cafumana; Daniel Agyei, Mahamadou Susoho, Berkan Kutlu, David Sousa; Florian Aye
The visiting side will be without injured goalkeeper Aleksandar Jovanovic, Tanguy Zoukrou, Massadio Haidara, Rigoberto Rivas, Tobias Gulliksen, and Bruno Petkovic.
The visiting side will be without injured goalkeeper Aleksandar Jovanovic, Tanguy Zoukrou, Massadio Haidara, Rigoberto Rivas, Tobias Gulliksen, and Bruno Petkovic.