Turkey are bottom of their Nations League group and in need of a better performance on Friday. They take on Belgium at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Belgium competitive despite key absentees

Mark van Bommel will be relatively content with his start as Belgium coach. His side won 2-0 in Italy on matchday one, before doing reasonably well in a 1-0 defeat to France on Monday. Only an 88th-minute strike from Michael Olise settled that contest.

Those are respectable results given the current absences of Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Amadou Onana and Thibaut Courtois. Light changes are likely on Friday, with Dodi Lukébakio and Maxim De Cuyper among those pushing for recalls.

The midfield remains an area of strength for the Red Devils, with Youri Tielemans a dependable figure in the centre of the pitch. The 29-year-old has registered two assists in seven appearances this term at club level for Manchester United.

Belgium predicted lineup vs Turkey (4-3-3): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Lavia, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Lukébakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.

Pressure building on Montella as Turkey’s problems continue

Having exited the World Cup in disappointing fashion at the group stage, Turkey needed a bright start to their Nations League campaign. However, home defeats against France and Italy leave them at real risk of relegation.

They’ve struggled without the important duo of Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız, who are both missing from this squad. In better news, Uğurcan Çakır returns from suspension and could feature in goal, following a red card against Les Bleus on matchday one.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Kerem Aktürkoğlu are also likely to earn recalls in Liège, while Real Madrid star Arda Güler remains the chief playmaker. He has been in good form for his club with a goal and two assists in seven league outings this term.

Turkey predicted lineup vs Belgium (4-2-3-1): Çakır; Çelik, Demiral, Kabak, Kadıoğlu; Özcan, Kökçü; Aydın, Güler, Aktürkoğlu; Yılmaz.

Belgium vs Turkey Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Belgium to win
  • Odds: 1.475 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Belgium 3-1 Turkey
  • 22Bet Booking Code: JFXPT

Key stats:

  • Belgium have scored at least once in all of their previous four meetings with Turkey.
  • It’s just two defeats in 16 games for the Red Devils since the start of the 2025/26 season.
  • Turkey have lost four of their last five games.

With Çalhanoğlu and Yıldız sidelined, Turkey have become heavily dependent on Güler, which is limiting their ability to do damage in the final third in what is a very tough group. They also have defensive flaws, with 10 goals conceded across their past five internationals.

Backing Belgium to win is a safe pick. The hosts have greater depth, which is helping them cope with their own selection issues. Including an extra-time victory over Senegal, they’ve won 58% of their fixtures in 2026. That’s a positive return, given they’ve faced Spain and France in recent months.

Belgium vs Turkey Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: First half - Over 1.5 goals
  • Odds: 2.04 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: QQYPT

Backing the first half to produce over 1.5 goals offers value. There have been plenty of early goals in recent Turkey matches, with three before the interval against Italy last time out.

They were also 2-1 up after 45 minutes in their final World Cup outing against the United States. An open start is expected here, with Belgium sure to target three points in this favourable home encounter.

Verdict: Belgium to win (1.475) — Belgium 3-1 Turkey