Konyaspor v Gençlerbirliği: survival stakes in a tight lower-half scrap | OneFootball

Konyaspor host Gençlerbirliği in the Süper Lig on Thursday, 19 March 2026 in Konya, with only two points between the sides and valuable safety ground up for grabs in the relegation fight.

Konyaspor edged the last league meeting 2-1 away in October 2025 and arrive with momentum after beating Galatasaray, drawing with Kasımpaşa and winning at Kocaelispor across recent outings. Gençlerbirliği, by contrast, are winless in four league games, taking back-to-back goalless draws before losing to Beşiktaş, though they did win in the cup at Aliağa.

Team news tilts selection. Konyaspor are without suspended defender Guilherme Haubert Sitya, while midfielder Ufuk Akyol is injured. Gençlerbirliği miss suspended forward Sekou Koita, who has six league goals this season, and have Oghenekaro Etebo, Moussa Kyabou and Emirhan Ünal sidelined.

On the numbers, Konyaspor tend to control more of the ball with 54% possession and 82.03% passing accuracy this season. They could look to build patiently and work openings, with Yhoan Andzouana among their key providers after four league assists. Gençlerbirliği average 42% possession and have racked up 731 clearances and 97 blocks, so a compact shape and counter-punches may be their route, especially without Koita's runs in behind.

A home win would lift Konyaspor to 30 points and could widen their cushion above the bottom three. Victory for Gençlerbirliği would take them to 28 points and could see them leapfrog the hosts, a valuable boost in the survival battle.