Gençlerbirliği v Samsunspor: hosts' upturn meets visitors' top-six push | OneFootball

Gençlerbirliği host Samsunspor in the Süper Lig on 18 January 2026 at Eryaman Stadyumu, with the Ankara side eyeing a climb towards the top half and the visitors looking to consolidate their top six position.

Samsunspor are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the clubs, taking three wins and two draws in that run. In the table, they start sixth on 25 points, while Gençlerbirliği sit 11th with 18.

Form points in different directions. Gençlerbirliği have strung together four wins in their last five across all competitions, including a 4-3 league victory over Trabzonspor and a 3-0 home win against Fatih Karagümrük. Samsunspor are winless in four league matches but have posted back to back cup wins either side of those setbacks.

Team news could shape the rhythm. Gençlerbirliği list Oghenekaro Etebo, Ensar Kemaloğlu, Moussa Kyabou and Emirhan Ünal as injured. Samsunspor travel depleted: Antoine Makoumbou is suspended, while Emre Kilinc, Olivier Ntcham, Carlo Holse, Tanguy Coulibaly, Afonso Sousa and Bedirhan Çetin are injured.

Tactically, the hosts may again embrace a lower possession approach, averaging 41% possession and 77.77% pass accuracy, and could target crosses and set pieces given their five headed league goals. Samsunspor, who average 51% possession with 81.61% passing accuracy, may look to control midfield but will need end product. Cherif Ndiaye has four league goals, while Carlo Holse leads their tally with five but is out. Oğulcan Ülgün has four for Gençlerbirliği.

A home win would move Gençlerbirliği to 21 points and could nudge them towards the top half. Victory for Samsunspor would take them to 28 and strengthen their push to stay in European contention, while a draw would keep both broadly on their current paths.