Turkey vs Wales Prediction, Preview, Head to Head, Team News, and Possible Lineups | UEFA Nations League.
Match Details
- Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2024-25
- Teams:Â Turkey National Football Team vs Wales National Football Team
- Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
- Kick-off Time: 5 pm GMT
- Venue: Kadir Has Stadium, Turkey
- Group: League B, Group 4
With only two games left in the UEFA Nations League 2024-25 group stage, Turkey and Wales meet in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Turkey leads Group 4 in League B with 10 points, just ahead of Wales, who have amassed 8 points. This clash could determine the group leader and the team most likely to advance.
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Turkey vs Wales Preview
Turkey and Wales both come into this match with much at stake. Turkey, sitting two points ahead of Wales, will be aiming to extend their lead and secure top place in the group. Wales, on the other hand, will seek a crucial away win to overtake Turkey and keep Iceland from catching up. If Turkey wins, they’ll confirm their spot as group leaders; however, a loss for Wales might leave the door open for Iceland if they secure a win in their game against Montenegro.
League B, Group 4 Standings So Far:
- Turkey: 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw)
- Wales: 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws)
- Iceland: 4 points
- Montenegro: 0 points
Turkey National Football Team News
Turkey will be without key defenders Caglar Soyuncu and Ferdi Kadioglu for this match. While Soyuncu is expected to return after the international break, Kadioglu will remain sidelined until mid-December. These absences could impact Turkey’s defensive line, putting pressure on the replacements to maintain stability at the back.
Expected Lineup for Turkey National Football Team (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Ugurcan Cakir
- Defenders: Evren Eren Elmali, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Merih Demiral, Mehmet Zeki Celik
- Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu, Orkun Kokcu, Arda Guler
- Attackers: Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Akturkoglu, Irfan Kahveci
Wales National Football Team News
For Wales, striker Kieffer Moore is set to miss out as he recovers from a calf injury and is expected to return to action next month. Wales will need other attackers to step up in Moore’s absence, which puts additional pressure on players like Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas to perform.
Expected Lineup for Wales National Football Team (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Danny Ward
- Defenders: Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts
- Midfielders: Oliver Cooper, Jordan James, Harry Wilson
- Attackers: Sorba Thomas, Liam Cullen, Brennan Johnson
Turkey vs Wales: Head-to-Head Record
Turkey and Wales have faced each other four times in recent competitions, resulting in a balanced head-to-head record with each team securing a win and two matches ending in a draw.
Last Five Results:
- Wales 0-0 Turkey – UEFA Nations League, September 7, 2024
- Wales 1-1 Turkey – UEFA Euro Qualifiers, November 22, 2023
- Turkey 2-0 Wales – UEFA Euro Qualifiers, June 20, 2023
- Turkey 0-2 Wales – UEFA Euro 2020, June 16, 2021
The recent results indicate a competitive edge for Turkey at home, though Wales has managed to draw in their last two encounters.
Key Players to Watch
Turkey National Football Team
Arda Guler
Arda Guler, a standout talent from Fenerbahce, has been highly sought after by top European clubs and eventually joined Real Madrid last summer. Although he has limited game time under Carlo Ancelotti, his potential is undeniable, and the Turkish fans are eager to see him excel. Guler’s national team record includes 16 caps, with three goals and three assists.
Kerem Akturkoglu
Another promising Turkish attacker, Kerem Akturkoglu has shown flashes of brilliance with Galatasaray, known for his pace and creativity on the left wing. With a natural ability to take on defenders, he’ll be pivotal to Turkey’s offense, especially in the absence of key players.
Wales National Football Team
Brennan Johnson
Johnson has had a mixed season but hit a strong patch with seven goals in his last 17 games for club and country. Known for his sharp finishing, he will be one of Wales’ primary threats upfront. He recently scored in Wales’ 2-2 draw against Iceland but missed the match against Montenegro due to suspension.
Harry Wilson
Wilson’s technical abilities and set-piece prowess make him a key figure in Wales’ midfield. With his creative playmaking and ability to strike from distance, Wilson will look to exploit Turkey’s defensive absences and create opportunities for his team.
Match Prediction: Turkey vs Wales
Both teams are well-matched in terms of skill and form, with Turkey and Wales each displaying strengths that could tilt the game in their favor. Turkey has the advantage of playing at home, where their recent form has been solid with three wins in their last four games. Wales, ranked 29th by FIFA, has also shown resilience, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches with two wins and two draws.
Considering these factors, this could be a high-stakes battle that ends in a scoring draw, as both teams have capable attackers but will likely balance their tactics due to their defensive absences.
Soccer Baba Predicted Scores: Turkey 1-1 Wales
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Where to Watch Turkey vs Wales Live?
If you’re looking to catch the game live, here are the viewing options by region:
- USA: Fubo
- UK: ITV
- India: SonyLiv
- Wales: ITV
- Turkey: S-Sport
This top-of-the-group clash between Turkey and Wales is a must-watch in the UEFA Nations League, promising an intense battle as each team strives to advance as group leaders. Tune in to see who prevails and whether Turkey can secure their lead or if Wales can stage an upset to top the group