Latvia-Turkey is a match on the third day of Group D of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Friday at 20:45: tv, predictions.
The defeat on matchday two certainly did not jeopardise Turkey’s path in this Euro 2024 qualifying, but for the time being it leaves Stefan Kuntz’s selection in third place behind number one rival Wales and the Croatians, favourites for first place. Less intimidating are Latvia and Armenia, who, not surprisingly, are in last place, anchored on zero points (but with one match to spare).
A very narrow margin of error, then, for Calhanoglu and his team-mates. They will face Latvia away before their clash with Wales next Monday. The Baltic selection does not bring back good memories for Turkey, who also missed out on qualification for the last World Cup in March 2021 due to a shock 3-3 draw, finishing second, two points behind the Netherlands. The two national teams meet again a short time later: the return match ended 2-1 to the Turks but it was a success that was of little use, as they were later eliminated in the play-offs by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. There is also another precedent, again unlucky for Turkey: back in 2003 it was Latvia who barred their way to the Portuguese European Championship, winning the play-off.
Guided by coach Dainis Kazakevics, the Latvians made an honourable debut in March in Wales, where they were beaten by a goal from Bournemouth centre-back Kieffer Moore. Kieffer Moore.
Latvian players
This extends the negative streak in European qualifying, in which the Baltics have lost eleven of their last twelve matches. Latvia are expected to face Turkey with the same line-up that took the field in Wales three months ago, while their colleague Kuntz will have to do without Unal and Tosun. There is Calhanoglu, fresh from the Champions League final.
The prediction
In the last two previous fixtures, which have been quite recent, there has been no shortage of goals, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t see another prolific match, in which there are likely to be at least three goals. Turkey are favourites to win.
Latvia-Turkey’s likely line-up
- LATVIA (4-4-2): Steinbors; Savalnieks, Oss, Cernomordijs, Sorokins; Ikaunieks, Zjuzins, Emsis, Ciganiks; Gutkovskis, Uldrikis.
- TURKEY (4-3-3): Gunok; Celik, Demiral, Soyuncu, Kadioglu; Kokcu, Ozcan, Calhanoglu; Akturkoglu, Nayiz, Under.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2