The second match of Group D will see Turkey host Croatia at the Timsah Arenas on Tuesday from 18:45 GMT.
Turkey and Croatia will both be looking to make a brilliant start to their UEFA Euros qualifiers in Group D as they bid for top-spot in a group that contains Wales, Latvia, and Armenia as the other opponents.
Turkey will especially look to win the match on Tuesday, given it will be played at home, and the three points will go a long way to helping their qualification campaign.
Key Highlights
Turkey’s Prolific Goalscoring
Turkey have won their last two matches, beating the Czech Republic (2-1) at home and defeating Scotland by an identical scoreline (2-1) at home.
They have lost a single match in their last five outings. This reverse came in the visit to the Faroe Islands, which ended in a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the hosts.
Overall, Turkey have won three times, drawn once, and lost once in their last five international assignments.
In this run, Turkey have scored 10 goals, which underscores their attacking and goalscoring potency. They have also conceded 7 times, highlighting their weaknesses at the back that need to be fixed ahead of these qualifiers.
Croatia’s Struggles Infront of Goal
In their last five matches, Croatia have scored just 4 goals. This dynamic highlights a core challenge for the nation as they embark on the Euros qualification campaign.
This will especially be tested when they travel to Turkey on Tuesday to face the hosts in matchday 2 of Group D’s action.
In this run of five matches, Croatia have won three times, drawn once, and lost once. The loss came in the clash with Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which ended in a 3-0 scoreline in favor of the eventual World Cup winners.
Croatia have also conceded 6 goals in this run of five matches, leaving them with a -2 goal difference.
Injury Report
Both camps reported no injury or suspension issues ahead of their clash in Turkey on Tuesday.
This will be a massive boost for Turkey’s Stefan Kuntz and Croatia’s Zlatko Dalić as they look to pick the strongest teams for matchday 2 of their qualification campaign in Group D.
Possible Lineups
Turkey
D. Alemdar; S. Akyadin, C. Soyuncu, O. Kabak; O. Bulut, S. Ozcan, H. Calhanoglu, E. Elmali; C. Under, E. Unal, D. Sinik
Croatia
D. Livakovic; B. Sosa, J. Gvardiol, D. Lovren, J. Juranovic; M. Kovacic, M. Brozovic, L. Modric; I. Perisic, A. Kramaric, M. Pasalic
Tactics
Playing at home, Turkey will seek to dominate the ball and play proactive football. They will look to be competitive in midfield by keeping and recycling the ball. This will be challenging coming up against Modric, Brozovic, and Kovacic.
With Croatia playing with three central midfielders, one of Turkey’s forwards will have to drop into midfield to prevent them from being overrun by Croatia.
However, Turkey will have an advantage in wide areas with their wingbacks pushing forward, offering width, and stretching the Croatian defense.
On their part, Croatia will look to be tidy in possession and play from the back. Patient possession through their experienced midfield will be crucial to bolstering their dominance and giving them control of the match’s tempo.
They will look to press the ball across the pitch and counter-press when they lose it. The focus will be to win the ball in dangerous areas to bolster their chances of winning.
Prediction
Croatia, the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, will have the advantage in this match. They will have control in midfield and create the chances they will need to win this match and take control of Group D and their qualification campaign.
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