Euro 2024: Turkey x Portugal, Match Preview, Team News, Odds and Predictions(22/06/2024)

There will be fireworks when Portugal and Turkey square off in the Group F Derby at Signal Iduna Park. Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1 to start their EURO 2024 campaign. Still, they will face a much larger opponent in Cristiano Ronaldo, and Co. Heart issues have sidelined Fenerbahce attacker Irfan Kahveci, but Vincenzo Montella's squad has no new injury worries. As usual, Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter will be a player to keep an eye on in the home team.

In their debut, A Selecao, however, defeated the Czech Republic thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Francisco Conceicao. There is a lot of profit in betting on a draw since Portugal and Turkey should be content with one point from their match on Saturday. Regarding the presumed guests, Rafael Leao and the previously mentioned emerging star Conceicao of Porto are only one yellow card away from suspension, while Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is vying for a start.

Turkey x Portugal Team News

Baris Alper Yilmaz led the line as Kenan Yildiz demonstrated his flexibility against Georgia, beginning on the wing. Arda Guler was also forced to the right wing to enable Orkun Kokcu to play in an advanced position. Changes could be made, however, considering the resistance. With Guler moving centre and Kerem Akturkoglu on the left, pushing Yildiz to the right, Kokcu might drop deeper to play alongside Calhanoglu.

Martinez chose a back three against the Czech Republic, although he used it to confuse the opponent's system. We could see Portugal return to a back four, with Nuno Mendes leaving the centre-back positions. Therefore, Pepe and Ruben Dias would form the centre-back pairing, with Joao Cancelo and Diogo Dalot on either side.

Joao Palhinha, seated just behind Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, is the most likely to enter midfield. The front trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao should stay the same.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

This was one to watch even before the competition began. One of the pre-tournament favourites takes against a squad that, while being regarded as dark horses, struggled in the last European Championship. And a great deal more is at stake these days.

Turkey outperformed itself early in Euro 2020, defeating Georgia 3-1 to start the summer competition. Two sides fighting blow for blow as if it were an FA Cup match made for an exciting game for the onlooker. And it was Turkey who ultimately prevailed, with goals from Kerem Akturkoglu, Arda Guler, and Mert Mulder. Having lost each of their previous five such matches, Turkey has yet to win their first encounter in a European Championship.

Though it was in spectacular style, 2016 winners Portugal also started the group game with a victory. The second half saw Roberto Martinez's team trail 1-0 against the Czech Republic before tying the score with an own goal. 

Francisco Conceicao scored the game-winning goal in 111 seconds off the bench, just as the match approached a tie. He became the first replacement for Portugal to score in the European Championship since Eder in the 2016 final.

This encounter has been a regular at the Euros; Cristiano Ronaldo was featured in the most recent one, in which Portugal won 2-0 in the group stages of Euro 2008. In their most recent encounter, Portugal defeated them 3-1 to guarantee their spot in the 2022 World Cup.

Our Predictions

Portugal to win @1.58 on Sky247.ng

Portugal should win their pivotal Group F game against Turkey in Dortmund on Saturday.

In their first game against the Czech Republic, Roberto Martinez's team was given a fright and needed a stoppage-time goal from substitute Francisco Conceicao to win all three points.

Their performance begged some doubts about their chances of winning the tournament, but they controlled the game and deserved to win on balance of play.

Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime @1.90 on Sky247.ng

Portugal will undoubtedly have a very different challenge than the Czechs, who refused to begin the game and strung five defenders across the back.

Turkey has only managed four clean sheets in their last 19 games and has let up three goals against Luxembourg, two against Latvia, four against Japan, and six against Austria in the previous two years; attack could be their most robust line of defence.

The Portuguese playmakers will flourish in the areas that Turkey's squad usually leaves open, and they will win as long as Cristiano Ronaldo is wearing his shooting boots.

Elevate your betting experience with Sky24 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.