Turkey-Croatia is a match on the second day of Group D of Euro 2024 qualifying and is played on Tuesday at 20:45: tv, predictions.
The draw with which Croatia made their debut in qualifying for the upcoming European Championships has the taste of a mockery. Head coach Zlatko Dalic was already looking forward to the first three points at the end of a match that was essentially dominated by Wales, who were never dangerous in front of Livakovic’s goal. But in the dying moments came the cold shower (or rather, ice cold) of the British equaliser, scoring on their only offensive sortie.
The goal by debutant Broadhead prevented the national team that surprisingly finished on the podium again in the last World Cup from being on full points in a group in which it is the clear favourite for first place. Modric and his team-mates have something to reproach themselves for, in any case, starting with the many missed chances: emblematic, in this sense, is the crossbar that former Inter player Perisic hit at the beginning of the second half. Kramaric’s 23rd goal in the selection’s jersey was not enough: the Hoffenheim striker is increasingly a certainty for Dalic, in an attack lacking a pure centre forward of international calibre. Croatia go in search of redemption in Turkey, with the aim of preventing Stefan Kuntz’s men from taking the lead after last Saturday’s success in Armenia.
Croatia with an advantage in previous matches
The last time Turkey and Croatia met was three years ago in a friendly, which ended in a pyrotechnic 3-3 draw.
Ten confrontations between the two selections: five draws, three Croatian victories and two Turkish ones. The crescent moon national team came out on top in the last official head-to-head: in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Russia they prevailed 1-0. Kuntz knows they are not favourites in this challenge but will try to exploit, as they did five years ago, the home factor in an attempt to put a spoke in the wheels of a team that has lost only once in their last 14 matches, surrendering in the World Cup semi-finals to Messi’s Argentina. Turkey, however, did not impress in neighbouring Armenia: Kokçu and Akturkoglu had to put things right after an unfortunate own goal by Kabak had allowed the Caucasians to find the lead in the tenth minute of play. The German coach against Croatia should return to a four-man defence, with Roma’s Celik taking Kabak’s place on the right. Among the Croatians, Pasalic will be on his toes. Livaja will be absent.
The Prediction
Croatia, despite their handicap start, have more certainties than Turkey and should avoid defeat in Bursa. However, it will not be easy to return home with the three points: playing in front of such a warm Turkish crowd is never a walk in the park for anyone. It will be a no-holds-barred match, with the guests trying to play the game. We assume at least one goal on each side in a match that could even end in a draw.
Turkey v Croatia line-up odds
- TURKEY (4-3-3): Gunok; Celik, Soyuncu, Demiral, Elmali; Calhanoglu, Ozcan, Kokcu; Under, Unal, Akturktoglu.
- CROATIA (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
