Match Betting (1x2)
Turkey are getting very close to qualifying for the European Championship finals for the fifth time in seven recent attempts, with Senol Gunes’ team sitting top of the section after eight games played.
The Turks have landed six wins from their eight encounters, drawing one match and losing one. This means they are four points clear of third-placed Iceland and a draw would be enough for them to go through to the multi-country finals next summer.
However, Turkey have won all of their four home matches in qualifying and it’s little surprise that they’re trading as the 8/11 favourites to win this encounter.
They beat France by a 2-0 scoreline and have enjoyed further victories over Albania, Andorra and Moldova. Interestingly, the home side haven’t conceded a goal in any of these matches.
Therefore, Iceland have the proverbial mountain to climb and even a win in this game probably won’t be enough considering that Turkey’s final game of qualifying is away to Andorra.
The visitors are priced at 10/3 to win the match and they will feel as though they can go for broke in this clash.
Iceland did inflict a 2-1 defeat on the same opponents in Reykjavik, with all three goals scored during an eventful first half, although Erik Hamren’s side have been unable to string together a consistent set of results.
The danger with backing the home team is that victory is not essential and some will feel that the draw price of 12/5 is the more attractive option, with the home side sure to put up a stubborn defensive resistance and hope to be celebrating in Istanbul.
First Goalscorer
Cenk Tosun might not get a huge amount of game time for Everton FC in the English Premier League, although the striker has found the net on five occasions for his country during qualifying and is trading as the 9/2 favourite with Ladbrokes to score the opener here.
Tosun is currently the first-choice striker for Turkey although Kaan Ayhan has also proved dangerous and has three goals to his name, with the Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder playing a more advanced position for his nation than he does for his club.
Iceland’s chief threat comes in the form of Kolbeinn Sigþórsson and he’s available at 7/1 to put the cat amongst the pigeons with the first goal of this clash, while Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is a set-piece specialist and he’s on offer at odds of 9/1.
Asian Handicap
Turkey don’t need to win this game and that can often be a dangerous thing when it comes to backing a team at odds-on. However, Iceland will ultimately know that their task is a forlorn one and therefore it could be a landslide victory in the end for the home side.
Considering getting with Turkey -1.5 or Turkey -2 on the Asian Handicap where you can profit by backing the home side to win by a bigger margin should you feel as though they will be in the ascendancy.
Both Teams to Score
Plenty of punters will want to back the “No” option on the Both Teams to Score market considering that Turkey are yet to concede on home soil in qualifying.
We can expect that to be available at around the 10/11 market a bit closer to kick-off, with the Turks wanting to preserve that proud clean sheet record in front of an expectant Istanbul crowd.
However, there is sure to be a party mood in the Turkish capital and perhaps we might see a high-scoring encounter between the teams, with the Yes option available at a similar price.
Over / Under Goals
Three of Turkey’s four home matches have seen Under 2.5 Goals and this could be the direction to go in, with the notoriously stingy defence having shipped just three goals in their eight games.
However, there was a 2-1 scoreline in the reverse fixture and that might encourage some to back the Over 2.5 Goals, especially if it’s trading at a meaty price.
Correct Score
We wouldn’t put you off a winning scoreline in favour of Turkey that is along the lines of a 2-0 or a 3-0. They will want to deliver Euro 2020 qualifying in style and we could see the celebrations starting in a premature fashion.
The 3-0 scoreline will be a lot bigger than 2-0 and those wanting to go for a more emphatic winning result could chance their arm when it comes to 4-0.