WALES must get themselves up off the canvas in short order when they take on Turkey at the Samsun Stadium in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday night.
Rob Page's side slumped to a chastening 4-2 home defeat to Armenia on Friday night, though Brennan Johnson's assist bailed me out after I like many backed the Dragons to do the business.
That bruising setback means Wales have dropped to third place in Group D in what is fast becoming a fiercely competitive battle for a top-two berth.
Welsh chief Page is now tasked with lifting the spirits of his side ahead of their trip to table-topping Turkey on Matchday four.
Stefan Kuntz's side moved to the summit of the section in dramatic fashion with a last-gasp winner in their 3-2 success at Latvia last time out.
After losing 2-0 in their opening home game against Croatia, and with a queue of sides breathing down their neck, the Crescent-Stars will be keen to put on a show for their supporters when hosting a wounded Wales side.
Outright Betting
Despite the aforementioned loss to Croatia in their solitary Group D home game so far, Turkey return to their Samsun base as odds-on 10/11 (Bet 365) favourites.
Wales toppled Turkey when the pair last crossed paths at Euro 2020 but the same outcome here is an unfancied 15/4 (PaddyPower) while a share of the spoils is also considered unlikely at 12/5 (William Hill).
Betting Angles
Turkey will have their backers at the above mentioned price but I'm instead going to side with the home team to deliver Over 1.5 Goals at 11/10 (PaddyPower).
Stefan Kuntz's side will smell blood and be hoping they can pile more misery on Welsh side whose only win across their last 11 matches came against lowly Latvia
In fact, that victory over the Latvians is also the only occasion in which Rob Page's side have managed to file a clean sheet across that sequence, which doesn't bode well given that Turkey have only failed to score once in their last 21 matches.
What's more, the Welsh have shipped 2+ goals in six of their last 11 outings, most notably on Friday night when their backline was breached four times at home to lesser lights Armenia.
That being said, Turkey have failed to keep the back door shut in each of their last seven matches, so a couple goals could be needed if the hosts are to slay the Dragons.
It's also worth pointing out this bet would have paid out in a sizeable 14 of the Crescent-Stars' last 16 matches, so siding with Over 1.5 Turkey Goals here at 11/10 (PaddyPower) is a price that definitely represents value.
After netting last time out against Latvia, I'll also take Turkey's Cengiz Ünder in the To Score Or Assist market at an appetising 6/4 (PaddyPower).
The Turkish winger has scored in three of his last appearances for his country and he makes plenty of appeal to either or notch or provide here against a visiting side that will surely be drained of confidence following Friday night's calamity in Cardiff.
This Euro 2024 match between Turkey and Wales will be played on Jun 19, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Turkey vs Wales prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
