Game Preview: Turkey vs. Portugal
Turkey: Turkey secured a solid 3-1 victory against Georgia on matchday one, displaying attacking prowess but also showing vulnerabilities in defense. Vincenzo Montella’s side must tighten up at the back to stand a chance against a formidable Portuguese team. With three points already in the bag, Turkey can afford to play with some freedom, but they must be cautious of Portugal’s attacking threats.
Portugal: Portugal left it late to secure a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, with Francisco Conceição scoring a stoppage-time winner. Roberto Martínez’s men showed resilience by coming back from a goal down, highlighting their depth and quality. Portugal’s strong track record in the group stages of the Euros and the individual brilliance of players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes make them favorites for this match.
Key Stats & Insights:
- Turkey had the most shots and recorded the highest expected goals total on Matchday 1.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored against Turkey despite three previous encounters.
- Portugal defeated Turkey 3-1 in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in the last two meetings between these countries.
Team Form and Performance
Turkey – Last 10 Competitive Games:
- Record: 6 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws
- Average Goals: 1.8
- Average Attempts: 14.2
- Average Possession: 58.5%
- Top Scorer: Kerem Akturkoglu (3 goals)
- Key Player: Orkun Kokcu (2 assists)
- Defensive Stats: Conceding 1.0 goals per game
Portugal – Last 10 Competitive Games:
- Record: 8 wins, 2 draws
- Average Goals: 3.4
- Average Attempts: 16.2
- Average Possession: 64.6%
- Top Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (8 goals)
- Key Player: Bruno Fernandes (8 assists)
- Defensive Stats: Conceding 0.3 goals per game
Head-to-Head Records:
- Portugal have won all three previous European Championship encounters against Turkey without conceding a goal.
- Turkey’s only two victories against Portugal came in friendlies (1955 and 2012).
- Portugal won the most recent match 3-1 in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
Possible Player Form and Availability:
Turkey (4-2-3-1 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Mert Gunok
- Defenders: Mert Muldur, Samet Akaydin, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ferdi Kadioglu
- Midfielders: Kaan Ayhan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Orkun Kokcu
- Forwards: Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, Baris Yilmaz
Portugal (3-5-2 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa
- Defenders: Pepe, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha
- Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao
Market Analysis (Odds):
- Portugal to Win: 1.60 (63% implied probability)
- Turkey to Win: 5.25
- Over 2.5 Goals: Market leader
- Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.80, No at 1.91
Predictions:
Portugal 2, Turkey 1
A win would almost secure progression for both teams, but Portugal’s defense is likely to be a tougher challenge for Turkey. Portugal’s solid defensive record and attacking quality should see them edge this contest.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 1.80 and Both Teams to Score (BTTS Yes) at 1.80 are favorable bets given the attacking capabilities of both sides and recent match histories.