Georgia is determined to repeat its success. After qualifying for the first time in its history for the final stage of an international tournament, participating in the last European Championship, it is now aiming to secure a place in the World Cup to be hosted next summer by the US, Mexico, and Canada. However, the mission is (almost) impossible: the Caucasian team has been drawn in a group of four alongside European champions Spain and Turkey (the fourth team is Bulgaria).
It will therefore take a miracle to finish at least second and take part in the playoffs, considering that first place is practically “reserved” for La Roja, who are far superior to the others.
All the big names on the field
The debut against Turkey thus becomes a “playoff” to be won at all costs in order to avoid complicating matters and remaining at the bottom of the table: from this perspective, it would also be important for Georgia, which has not lost in four games, including two friendlies last June against the Faroe Islands and Cape Verde, to at least avoid defeat. In March, however, Willy Sagnol’s team scored a total of nine goals against Armenia in the first and second legs, securing their place in League B of the Nations League. Turkey also played only friendlies in June: on their North American tour, Vincenzo Montella’s men beat the USA 2-1 and lost 1-0 to Mexico, results that followed the doubleheader in March with Hungary, which earned Calhanoglu and his teammates promotion to League A of the Nations League.
Sagnol will be able to count on the most representative players in his squad: in addition to Kvaratskhelia, Mamardashvili and Mikautadze will also be in the game. Big names are also present in Turkey: Inter’s Calhanoglu will take charge of the midfield; the rest will be taken care of by the two brightest talents, Guler and Yildiz, ready to support striker Akturkoglu, who has just moved from Benfica to Fenerbahçe in one of the many transfers that took place in the last days of the transfer market (ironically, it was he who scored the decisive goal in the Champions League qualifying play-off between the Portuguese and Turkish sides).
Odds comparison
The “Goal” sign is quoted at 1.60 on GoldbetGoldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. The “X2” sign is quoted at 1.37 on Goldbet Goldbete Lottomatica and at 1.35 on Snai.
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The prediction
The last three previous matches, including Turkey’s 3-1 victory at Euro 2024, have never disappointed in terms of entertainment, with Georgia always managing to score at least one goal. This match will be no exception: the “goal” option should be seriously considered.
Read the predictions for Georgia vs. Turkey here, including goalscorers, shots on goal, and yellow cards.
Probable lineups for Georgia vs. Turkey
GEORGIA (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Azarovi, Kashia, Goglichidze, Lochoshvili; Kocharashvili, Mekvabishvili; Lominadze, Kiteishvili, Kvaratskhelia; Mikautadze.
TURKEY (4-5-1): Cakir; Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Elmali; Yuksek, Calhanoglu, Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2