Turkey will take on Wales in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, 16 November in what looks set to be a huge game for both teams.
Turkey currently sit two points ahead of Wales in League B, Group Four but with the top spot effectively guaranteed a playoff for the 2026 World Cup, the result of this match has big implications.
Whoever ends up finishing 2nd in the group will need to rely on a strong performance in the World Cup qualifiers next year in order to make it to the USA.
How the bookies view it: Wales have it all to do
Turkey come into the match as the favourites with the bookies which means Wales will have to beat the odds if they are to leapfrog them into first place. Betfred have priced a win for Turkey at 8/11 while a victory for Wales has been priced at 4/1. The draw, which would keep Turkey above Wales, has been priced at 13/5.
Recent head-to-head: Honours even
Wales and Turkey have played each other on four occasions over the past three years so these teams are very familiar with one and other. From those four games, each side has won one game apiece and the other two finished level. Their most recent clash, in Cardiff in two months ago, was boring 0-0 draw – a result that would suit Turkey again here.
Players to watch: Wilson is the man of the moment
Harry Wilson may not be starting as many games as he would like for Fulham but he is certainly making his mark off the bench for the Cottagers. The 27-year-old has scored three goals in his last two appearances off the bench for Fulham, including two in stoppage time against Brentford to win the game at the death.
Wilson has also been making the most of starting opportunities in a Wales shirt recently. He scored in both of Wales' Nations League matches in October and is now well-established as one of their most consistent and important players.
Turkey are blessed with plenty of talented attacking players, too. Arda Guler is the man that Wales will be most concerned about on Saturday night, especially after his impressive performances at Euro 2024. Like Wilson, Guler has been a substitute more often than not at club level this season, but the Real Madrid man rarely fails to make his mark at international level.
Predicted line-ups
Turkey have a couple of injury doubts ahead of this one with Emirhan Topcu and Ahmed Kutucu both in line to miss out. Wales have suffered from a couple of players dropping out from their squad which only makes their task harder on Saturday.
Turkey: Cakir – Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu – Calhanoglu, Kokcu – Kahveci, Guler, Yildiz – Akturkoglu
Wales: Darlow – Williams, Rodon, Cabango, Davies – James, Sheehan – Brooks, Cullen, Wilson – Harris
Anything else catch the eye?
None of the four most recent clashes between Wales and Turkey have produced more than two goals which suggests that we could be in for a cagey affair on Saturday night. Under 2.5 goals to be scored has been priced at 4/5.
This UEFA Nations League match between Turkey and Wales will be played on Nov 16, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. 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.
