SCOTLAND end what has been a largely successful 2022 with something of an unusual trip to Turkey for a friendly with not too much riding on it.
With the exception of a couple of horrific defeats to Ukraine in the World Cup play-off and Ireland in Dublin, Steve Clarke's side has done well after winning promotion in their Nations League group.
Clarke has taken a strong squad to the Kurdish stronghold of Diyarbakır for the first ever international football match in the southern Turkish city. It's also the first time Scotland have played Turkey for 62 years.
However, there will be no Celtic players in the squad with the Hoops prioritising their friendlies in Australia and FIFA allowing clubs the choice not to release their players.
Turkey are ranked five places behind the Scots in the FIFA Rankings, but their manager – the unfortunately-named former Germany star Stefan Kuntz – is under huge pressure after some terrible results.
He's reportedly set to be fired after this regardless after the Turks lost 2-1 in the Faroe Islands in their last game. Prior to that, they draw at home to Luxembourg. They also suffered a 6-1 leathering in the Netherlands last year.
How the bookies view it
Turkey are favourites at 4/5 generally, although Coral have gone 17/20.
Scotland can be backed at 7/2 with Paddy Power and the draw is 12/5 with McBookie.com.
Recent head to heads
Just the one meeting in the 99 years Turkey have played internationals and for what it's worth, Scotland lost 4-1 in Ankara in 1960.
Players to watch
At the time of writing, the goalscorer markets weren't up yet, but Turkey are likely to rely on Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, who has scored 18 international goals in 45 games.
Scotland will likely start with either Che Adams or Lyndon Dykes up front, but John McGinn is usually a potent threat for his country and the Aston Villa man has already netted 14 goals for his country.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's obviously not a game to be raiding the piggy bank for with not a lot resting on this, despite what the managers may say. But there's little reason for Scotland to fear the hosts given their recent results and they look way too short here.
While it remains a big ask for any team to beat the Turks in their own back yard the days of ‘Welcome to Hell' are long gone and the Scots look an attractive bet in the double chance market which will give you the draw on your side too. They can be backed to win or draw at evens with McBookie.com.
Scotland are likely to try and keep this tight – just as they did in Poland against Ukraine when they grabbed a goalless draw. And with Turkey not prolific, the under 1.5 goals call at 2/1 with bet365 could come up.
This International Friendly match between Turkey and Scotland will be played on Nov 16, 2022 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Turkey vs Scotland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
