In the charged atmosphere of the Kalyon Stadyumu, Gazişehir Gaziantep and Kocaelispor will clash in a crucial Türkiye Kupası group stage showdown on January 13, 2026. For Gaziantep, this match is about survival; they are staring down a stretch of games that has left them reeling from heavy defeats. Meanwhile, Kocaelispor rides into town riding the momentum of a recent win, their spirits buoyed by an impressive showing against Erzurum BB. This match isn't just about three points; it's a defining moment for Gaziantep to regain their footing or watch their hopes crumble.
Let's delve into what both teams bring to the table.
Predicted Lineups:
- Gazişehir Gaziantep: GK: Zafer Görgen, DEF: Arda Kızıldağ/Semih Güler/Kévin Rodrigues, MID: Drissa Camara/Kacper Kozłowski/Alexandru Maxim/Mohamed Bayo, FWD: Deian Sorescu.
- Kocaelispor: GK: Aleksandar Jovanović, DEF: Massadio Haïdara/Hrvoje Smolčić/Botond Balogh/Ahmet Oğuz, MID: Karol Linetty/Darko Churlinov/Tayfur Bingöl, FWD: Bruno Petković.
Looking at Gazişehir Gaziantep's recent form is like reading a horror story-one where you know every plot twist leads to disaster. They've lost four out of five matches recently-including a staggering 5-1 thrashing at Başakşehir and a dismal cup defeat to Rizespor where they conceded five goals again. Their lack of cohesion is glaring; with only one goal scored against Petrolul Ploiesti in their last friendlies, the attacking trio looks more like misfiring cogs than well-oiled machinery.
On the flip side sits Kocaelispor-a team steadily climbing out of its own malaise with back-to-back victories before falling flat against Kasımpaşa in their most recent friendly. However, let's not forget they're coming off a solid 3-1 triumph in the cup over Erzurum BB that highlighted their attacking potential. The likes of Bruno Petković (who boasts an eye-catching twelve goals this season) are essential weapons in their arsenal; if he gets the service he needs from his midfielders like Tayfur Bingöl and Darko Churlinov, expect fireworks.
Statistically speaking, the matchup shapes up as follows: while Gaziantep has enjoyed decent ball possession percentages hovering around 58% in some recent outings-a positive sign-they simply cannot convert that advantage into meaningful chances. Despite racking up shots-averaging nearly 15 per game-their conversion rate remains alarmingly low. Their expected goals tally indicates frustration too: standing at 1.80 in a match that ended 1-5 against Başakşehir reflects how woefully ineffective they were when it mattered most.
Kocaelispor possesses an intriguing blend of defensive solidity combined with impactful transitions up front; when they strike first (which they've done quite often lately), they're hard to pin down defensively. With pass accuracy sitting close to an admirable 81% across various matches and significant contributions from players like Hrvoje Smolčić, who consistently anchors the defense while also moving forward effectively-there's enough talent here to create chaos for an already shaky Gaziantep side.
Key players stand out as pivotal points within each team's strategies: for Gaziantep, Drissa Camara is tasked with finding those killer passes through crowded defenses-his ability will be critical since gaps must be exploited if they're ever going to score goals again this season. Meanwhile for Kocaelispor's attack hinges significantly upon Bruno Petković-the man's knack for positioning coupled with precise finishing makes him the real danger man who could turn this match on its head should he find space within opposition territory.
With tension building and stakes high on January 13th, it's easy to see where both teams lie heading into this clash: Gaziantep stands on thin ice after sinking multiple times under pressure during past weeks while Kocaelispor seems invigorated by their latest results but still fighting inconsistencies.
At the end of it all? Gazişehir Gaziantep appears unable to break free from its dismal cycle while Kocaelispor's attacking prowess promises more zest-even if it's punctuated by occasional bumps along their journey forward. Ultimately though-as football so delightfully reminds us-the underdog can always spring forth unexpected surprises! Nevertheless... mark it down folks: expect Kocaelispor to come away victorious with a narrow margin thanks largely due to Petković doing what he does best-finding ways through defenses even when hope seems fleeting amongst turbulence elsewhere!