Montenegro vs Turkey prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-11-18 19:45.
[p]After two campaigns competing in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) second tier, Montenegro will play their final game at this level on Tuesday before returning to League C for the competition’s next edition. Ultimately the Brave Falcons have just not been out of their depth this term, losing all five fixtures this season and scoring only once ahead of Turkey’s visit. [/p]
[p]Due to also being defeated in their two friendlies in June, Robert ProsineÄŤki’s side have lost seven matches in a row – Montenegro’s worst run since becoming recognised as an independent nation by UEFA in 2007. However, with three of their UNL defeats courtesy of just a one-goal margin, they have rarely been completely outplayed, and had the majority of the goal attempts and possession in Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Iceland.[/p]
[p]That same evening, Turkey were extending their unbeaten run in this UNL edition to five games (W3, D2) with a goalless draw against Wales. Although they did miss a penalty in the 89th minute, the point sees the Crescent-Stars begin this final round of fixtures with a two-point lead at the top of the table, with them only needing to match Wales’ result against Iceland to guarantee back-to-back promotions in the competition.[/p]
[p]Vincenzo Montella’s men had been struggling on the road and were without a win in six away outings (D3, L3) before two late strikes secured a 4-2 UNL victory in ReykjavĂk last month, and they will arrive in Montenegro targeting a third successive unbeaten away game. Both of their previous away H2Hs have been tight – a 2-2 draw in 2018 and a 2-1 triumph in 2021 – but Turkey will be confident that they can extend their overall unbeaten H2H record to six games (W3, D2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Montenegro have scored in four games during 2024, with Nikola Krstović contributing to goals (G1, A1) in two of them, including an assist against Wales at home for their only strike of this campaign. Midfielder Orkun Kökçü meanwhile has been on the losing side in just one of his last nine matches for Turkey (W6, D2) and netted in their last away meeting with Montenegro.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Seven of Turkey’s eight goals during this UNL edition have come after half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]