Latvia vs Turkey prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-06-15 18:45.
Latvia come into this UEFA European Championship qualifier looking to avenge a 1-0 loss in Wales during their campaign opener, but that may well be easier said than done for the Baltic state, who have managed just one win (via a penalty shootout) across their last six games. As they prepare to host Turkey, manager Dainis Kazakevičs remains tight-lipped about why first-choice goalkeeper Pāvel Šteinbors and midfielder Artūrs Zjuzins have been left out of the squad.
Zjuzins’ omission is significant given that he is Latvia’s second highest-scoring active player (nine goals) after Jānis Ikaunieks, but perhaps the 11 Wolves, as they are nicknamed, can fight like lions in his absence and draw inspiration from the side that reached the 2004 Euros – the only time Latvia have made the finals.
On that occasion, they qualified for the tournament by beating Turkey in their sole H2H triumph. Somewhat surprisingly given the gulf in the FIFA rankings between the countries, the six H2H meetings since that game have produced five draws, although the Crescent Stars did win the last match between the teams 2-1 in October 2021. Neither of the goalscorers that day, Serdar Dursun and Burak Yılmaz, are in the latest squad, the latter having retired from international duty in March 2022.
Despite the crushing disappointment of Euro 2020 under Şenol Güneş and the recent World Cup qualification heartache under Stefan Kuntz, there is considerable potential in the Turkish squad, with the oldest outfield players being just 29 years old. However, that inexperience has perhaps shown a little as Kuntz’s side fell to defeat at home against Croatia following victory over Armenia to kick off their current qualifying campaign, meaning Turkey could really do with three points here.
Players to watch: Jānis Ikaunieks has 12 international goals, with four of those coming in his last ten caps. Looking to create something at the other end will almost certainly be Galatasaray winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who recorded an assist in each of his last four matches at club level.
Hot streak: Turkey have scored in the second half in their last nine away games.