Beşiktaş vs Kasımpaşa: Preview, teams news as Ndidi eyes conference league spot

Beşiktaş welcome a struggling Kasımpaşa side to Vodafone Park on Thursday evening in the Turkish Super Lig as the Black Eagles look to strengthen their grip on a European qualification spot, Afrik Foot reports.

Sergen Yalçın’s side go into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Gençlerbirliği on Sunday.

Prior to that, the loss to Galatasaray ended a four-match winning run for Wilfred Ndidi’s side.

For Kasımpaşa, the situation is far more desperate. The visitors arrive in Istanbul fighting for their Super Lig survival, carrying one of the worst runs of form in the division into a ground where they rarely take anything.

Match Preview: Beşiktaş vs. Kasımpaşa

Beşiktaş currently sit fourth in the Super Lig with 49 points from 26 matches, having won 14, drawn seven and lost five.

They’re eight points behind Trabzonspor, so a European place is still within reach, most likely the UEFA Conference, as they have just eight league games left to play.

The biggest talking point for the Black Eagles is the absence of a figurehead in attack after Tammy Abraham, who scored seven goals and provided one assist in 18 Super Lig appearances, left the club for Aston Villa in an £18m deal.

Since his exit, Besiktas have scored 17 goals in eight games, with the goalscoring burden shared across El Bilal Touré, Václav Černý and Hyun-Gyu Oh.

However, Beşiktaş will be without both El Bilal Touré and Emirhan Topçu, who are out with hamstring problems.

Kasımpaşa arrive at Vodafone Park in the grips of a relegation battle that shows no signs of easing. The Apaches have recorded only two victories from their last 12 league matches, drawing five and losing five.

Pressure continues to mount on Manager Emre Belözoğlu, who has overseen just one win in 12 league matches, and was brought in last December to steady a ship that’s still unsteady at the moment.

The visitors face the risk of relegation, but are up against one of the league’s top-four sides.

Kasımpaşa maçı hazırlıklarına başladık. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/XwJlrCv41N

— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) March 16, 2026

Head to Head

Beşiktaş and Kasımpaşa have met 29 times since November 2010, with the Black Eagles winning 14, Kasımpaşa winning nine, and six matches ending in draws.

Beşiktaş have been dominant in the fixture historically, and the numbers at Vodafone Park specifically are even more one-sided.

In their last five meetings, Kasimpasa have won three against Besiktas, scoring 10 and conceding five, while the remaining two ended in draws.

Beşiktaş have won seven home games at Beşiktaş Park this season; only Galatasaray (11), Trabzonspor (8), and Fenerbahçe (8) have won more in that time.

Team News

Beşiktaş

El Bilal Touré and Emirhan Topçu are confirmed absentees due to hamstring problems. The remainder of the squad is expected to be available, with Yalçın likely to name a strong starting line-up given the importance of extending the gap on rivals chasing the same European spots.

Václav Černý leads the team for league assists this season with eight, while Orkun Kökcü has also been a consistent creative contributor, chipping in with five assists.

Predicted Beşiktaş line-up (4-1-4-1): Ersin Destanoğlu; Amir Murillo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Tiago Djaló, Rıdvan Yılmaz; Wilfred Ndidi; Orkun Kökcü, Kristjan Asllani, Václav Černý, Junior Olaitan; Hyun-Gyu Oh.

Kasımpaşa

Kasımpaşa will again be without midfielder Haris Hajradinović, who has been sidelined since September due to a knee injury. Kamil Ahmet Çörekçi, Kerem Demirbay and Emre Taşdemir all remain doubtful ahead of kick-off, while Irfan Kahveci will miss the match through suspension.

Predicted Kasımpaşa line-up (4-2-3-1): Andreas Ganniotis; Claudio Winck, Rodrigo Becao, Adem Arous, Kamil Cörekci; Cafú, Andri Fannar Baldursson; Irfan Kahveci, Fousseni Diabate, Ben Ouanes; Adrian Benedyczak.

Key Players and Managers

The Managers

Manager Sergen Yalçın, 53, has overseen a 57% win rate across 94 matches with Besiktas, averaging 1.91 points per game. His likes his team organised, direct and difficult to break down, and this season he has struck an effective balance between defensive structure and attacking threat through the wide areas.

A Conference League spot would represent a meaningful achievement given the squad disruption caused by Abraham’s mid-season departure.

Kasimpasa boss, Emre Belözoğlu, took over at Kasımpaşa in December, intending to keep the club in the Turkish top flight. His record since taking charge reads two wins, five draws and five defeats from 12 league matches.

Tactical Overview

Yalçın’s Beşiktaş press aggressively in the middle third and look to transition quickly through the wide players. Černý and Cengiz Ünder provide the width and creativity, while Ndidi anchors the midfield, winning possession, distributing intelligently and contributing with goals from deep runs. His partnership with Orkun Kökcü has been one of the most reliable midfield combinations in the Super Lig this season.

Kasımpaşa will defend deep and look to frustrate the hosts for as long as possible, hoping to nick a goal on the counter or from a set-piece chance. Their away record has been particularly poor, as they’ve won just three games from 13 outings.

The key battle will be in the wide areas. If Černý gets on the ball early and in space, Kasımpaşa’s full-backs will be in for a long evening.