Fenerbahce is set to clash with Kocaelispor in a significant Turkish Super Lig match on Monday evening, with both teams having much at stake. Fenerbahce is keen to narrow the gap with league leaders Galatasaray, while Kocaelispor aims to maintain its mid-table standing.
Kocaelispor has faced difficulties early in 2026, struggling to secure a victory in their last three competitive outings, including an exit from the Turkish Cup. Their recent form includes a narrow defeat to Gaziantep, a loss against Trabzonspor, and a goalless draw with Samsunspor. Despite these challenges, Kocaelispor finds itself in a relatively safe ninth position, eight points above the relegation zone.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Selcuk Inan, Kocaelispor must find a way to improve their fortunes, especially as they contend with a poor historical record against Fenerbahce. They have not tasted victory against this rival since the early 2000s and are currently on a 13-match winless streak against them, consisting of eight losses and five draws. Their last encounter ended in a 3-1 defeat for Kocaelispor, while their most recent home meeting was a 1-1 draw back in 2009.
For Fenerbahce, the stakes are equally high as they sit just three points behind Galatasaray. Their recent form includes a disappointing 1-1 draw against Goztepe and a subsequent stalemate with FCSB in the Europa League. They are determined to shift their focus back to domestic success to stay in contention for the title. With an impressive record in the Super Lig this season, boasting 12 wins and 7 draws, Fenerbahce remains unbeaten across their last 12 away matches, which includes 8 victories and 4 draws. They have shown strong scoring capability in their recent away games, netting three goals in their last two league outings away from home.
In terms of team news, Kocaelispor will miss Mateusz Wieteska due to a cruciate knee injury, and goalkeeper Aleksandar Jovanovic is a doubt. Tayfur Bingol will be unavailable due to suspension, while the team has recently added Mahamadou Susoho from Manchester City Under-21s. On the other hand, Fenerbahce is grappling with injuries to key defensive players Levent Mercan and Archie Brown. Edson Alvarez’s ankle issue raises uncertainties about his availability, and Jhon Duran is also recovering from a thigh injury. New signings Matteo Guendouzi and Anthony Musaba are expected to play significant roles in the matchup.
The probable lineups for the match include Kocaelispor featuring Degirmenci; Oguz, Dijksteel, Smolcic, Haidara; Linetty, Keita; Churlinov, Rivas, Agyei; and Petkovic. Fenerbahce is likely to field Ederson; Muldur, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Semedo; Guendouzi, Yuksek; Musaba, Asensio, Nene; and Talisca.
As the match approaches, Kocaelispor must overcome their historical struggles against Fenerbahce, while the pressure of the title race lends urgency to Fenerbahce’s quest for victory. The predictions lean toward Fenerbahce taking the win with a scoreline of 2-1, reflecting their strong away form and the significance of this match in the overall league standings.