Two teams hoping to maintain their 100% record at the start of the European World Cup qualifiers square off as Norway face Turkey in a Group G clash at La Rosaleda. With this home game for Norway being held in Spain, the Turks can hold out for at least a draw on Saturday.
Norway were rampant in their opening fixture as they ran out 3-0 winners in Gibraltar on Wednesday. Goals from Alexander Sorloth and Kristian Thorstvedt gave them a two-goal lead before Jonas Svensson added the third.
The Norwegians will be pleased to have made a positive start in a difficult group featuring teams like Netherlands and Turkey. However, they will also bear in mind that other teams pose far greater threats than Gibraltar.
One problem for Stale Solbakken’s men is that due to COVID-19 restrictions, Saturdays match will not be played in Norway where they have lost just once in their last 11 matches. They will be banking on their solid attacking prowess with players like Sorloth and Erling Haaland. Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is however doubtful after been taken off due to injury against Gibraltar.
Turkey showed their quality in their opening match as they triumphed 4-2 against the Netherlands on Wednesday. A hat-trick for Burak Yilmaz helped them on their way to victory while Hakan Calhanoglu also got on the score sheet.
It is a continuation of the good form from Senol Gunes’ men who have now lost just once in their last nine matches with five of those fixtures ending in draws. The Turks have also proved to be decent travellers with three draws in their last four away matches.
As shown in their opening fixture against Netherlands, Turkey are not afraid to go on the front foot and often score lots of goals. The major problem is a shaky defence with 3-3 draws against Germany and Croatia and a 2-2 scoreline against Serbia among their recent results.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Norway as the favourites here with a win priced at 17/12 by SBK. A victory for Turkey is valued at 21/10 by betway while a draw is set at odds of 41/17 by Vbet.
There is little to separate both teams heading into this one and they are likely to cancel each other out for a draw.
Head to head
Turkey have claimed four wins from eight previous matches against Norway, who have been victorious just twice. There have been just two draws between both teams while the Turks triumphed 2-1 in the last meeting during the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Players to watch
Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has started his international career on fine note with six goals in his last six matches. He will be the one to watch for Norway and is priced at 5/4 by Skybet to score anytime.
Burak Yilmaz will be feeling confident following his hat-trick on Wednesday and will be hoping to get on the score sheet again. Betfair has the Turkish striker at 21/10 to score anytime.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams are often shaky at the back, so the goals market could provide some reward on Saturday. William Hill is offering 10/11 on both teams to score, over 2.5 goals is valued at 11/10 by Paddy Power while over 3.5 goals is set at odds of 3/1 Betfred.
Betting on goals to be scored in both halves also looks an attractive proposition at 10/11 with William Hill.
This World Cup match between Norway and Turkey will be played on Mar 27, 2021 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Norway vs Turkey prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.