Konyaspor vs Fenerbahce predictions, betting tips & match preview

This clash is a meeting of two sides who are really struggling domestically. The hosts are seventh in the Super Lig, while Fenerbahce are ninth, despite their expensively assembled squad. Neither side managed to win in the Europa League in midweek, but can they bounce back with a much needed league win? Neither team can really afford a defeat, or they’ll be in serious trouble.

Of course, they’re in quite a bit of trouble already. There’s even talk that Dick Advocaat is set for the sack at Fenerbahce. The former Sunderland boss has only been there since August, but their awful start means they could be looking for a third manager in as many months if the Turkish giants lose this trip. A 4-1 defeat away to Manchester United hardly helped matters for the Dutchman. Now he has to lift morale for a trip to the side who finished directly below them last season.

The trouble Advocaat is in is shown by his side’s win percentage. They’ve taken maximum points in 29% of games so far this term. While they were expected to push Besiktas for the title, they’re currently winning less than the league average. At this rate, they’ll face an uphill battle to qualify for the Europa League next term. That’s a huge step down, seeing as their last manager was sacked for failing to win in the Champions League qualifying rounds against Monaco.

Konyaspor don’t have the same lofty ambitions, but they have to be disappointed with their current form. Having made the top three last season, it would be a big dip if they missed out on a place in Europe. They’d be the latest in a long line of sides who tried and failed to break up Turkey’s Istanbul monopoly.

The problem for these sides is defensively, as neither has a back-line they can rely on. Konyaspor have scored an impressive 1.29 per game so far, but they’re conceding in every outing on average. Fener have scored 1.71 per match, but they’ve conceded 1.29 a game in return. With that in mind, don’t go expecting clean sheets here on Monday.

These two have a single clean sheet between them in the league this season. That came when Konyaspor beat 16th placed Adanaspor. Fener have conceded in every league game, while their defensive woes were shown in that heavy defeat at Old Trafford. With both sides poor at the back, we’re backing both to find the net. Both teams to score is our tip for this clash, priced at 5/6 with bet365.