Turkey vs Croatia prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-03-27 18:45.
After getting the better of Armenia with a 2-1 win in their opening game, Stefan Kuntz’s early group-toppers Turkey will look to spread some more joy following the country's devastating earthquakes last month. Next up they have the daunting task of welcoming World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, but a run of three consecutive 2-1 wins should serve to raise Turkish hopes as they look to bare their teeth at a stadium famously designed as a giant crocodile, the Timsah Arena!
Pre-match outsiders here, Turkey certainly have shown their bite on home soil in recent years as they haven’t suffered a single competitive home defeat since a UEFA Nations League loss to Hungary back in 2020 (W5, D5). Recent form between these two nations suggests they might be able to continue that home run as Turkey are unbeaten in each of the last three H2Hs, including two at home (W1, D1).
Perhaps further playing into Turkey’s hands is Croatia’s failure to justify their pre-match favourite tag on Saturday against a Wales side in transition, falling foul of a painful 93rd-minute equaliser to draw 1-1. That opening draw places more importance on this clash as defeating Turkey is the only realistic way Croatia can end this break inside the group’s top two as they search for their sixth straight European finals appearance.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalić will hope for an immediate resurgence as he seeks to extend his nation’s incredible run of eight away internationals without defeat (W7, D1), since losing to England at Wembley in the last European Championship. An incredible six of the eight games in that streak saw Croatia keep clean sheets whilst three of the last four ended 1-0, so this could be another game of fine margins.
Players to watch: Feyenoord star Orkun Kökçü successfully translated his prolific club form (G12) onto the international stage by scoring Turkey’s opener last time out. Similarly red-hot is Croatia’s Andrej Kramarić, who has scored three goals in his last two games for club & country despite not featuring for the full 90 minutes either time.
Hot stat: Turkey have scored before half-time in nine of their last ten internationals.