Samsunspor v Kocaelispor: top-half rivals seek momentum | OneFootball

Samsunspor host Kocaelispor in the Süper Lig on Saturday, 24 January 2026 at Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadyumu, with both targeting a push up the table in a congested top half.

Samsunspor are seventh on 26 points and won the August meeting 1-0 away. Kocaelispor sit ninth with 23 and have struggled on their travels, collecting just five away points so far.

Thomas Reis's side drew 1-1 at Gençlerbirliği in their last league outing and recently hit six in the Türkiye Kupası at Aliağa. Selçuk İnan's men lost 2-1 to Trabzonspor after beating Antalyaspor, with defeats in cup and friendly action in between.

The hosts are without Emre Kılınç, Carlo Holse, Tanguy Coulibaly, Afonso Sousa and Bedirhan Çetin through injury, while the visitors have Mateusz Wieteska sidelined.

Across the season, Samsunspor have scored 23 and conceded 21, averaging 1.3 goals per game with 51% possession, but none from set pieces and only one headed goal, so open play combinations may be key. Kocaelispor have 16 goals and six clean sheets. With 231 open play crosses and two headed goals, deliveries into the box could test the hosts. Bruno Petković leads the visitors with six league goals, with Tayfur Bingöl on five. Samsunspor may lean on Cherif Ndiaye, who has four, as Holse (five) is out.

A win would take Samsunspor to 29 points and could nudge them towards the European spots. Kocaelispor would move to 26 with victory, drawing level with the hosts and strengthening their top half bid.