Turkey vs Luxembourg prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League C betting tips on match 2022-09-21 18:45.
Promotion to the second tier of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) perhaps won’t soften the blow of missing out on the 2022 World Cup for Turkey, but having all-but secured top spot in Group C1, they now go in search of a fifth-successive win for the first time since 2019, though a point would be enough to secure promotion here against their only rivals for top spot. Manager Stefan Kuntz has surprised supporters by not naming a single Beşiktaş player in his squad, though İstanbul Başakşehir’s Serdar Gürler returns after a four-year absence.
The Crescent Stars were relegated during the last UNL campaign, but have found League C much more to their liking and now enter this game unbeaten in nine competitive home games (W4, D5), scoring at least two goals in eight of those. Their home record in this competition is improving too, as having lost their first three UNL fixtures in Turkey, all in Group B, they are now unbeaten in four (W3, D1).
That record may be further strengthened against Luxembourg, whose only previous victory in eight meetings with Turkey (L7) came in their first clash way back in 1972! Manager Luc Holtz has already bemoaned his side’s chances, admitting his game plan is “falling apart” after a string of injuries to key players that he has brandished a “small disaster” – far from ideal preparation for the visitors who know they need a victory here to keep their promotion dream alive.
Kiki Martins, Oli Thill and Mathias Olesen are among the absentees, which is worrying for a side who have won just five of their last 21 matches (D3, L13). The Red Lions can draw positives from their strong away record in the UNL though, with just two defeats in eight games on their travels in this competition (W5, D1) perhaps raising hopes they can take the promotion shoot-out to the final day.
Players to watch: Serdar Dursun has had a sublime start to his international career, netting seven times in eight caps for Turkey, including four in four in the UNL. Meanwhile all eight of Danel Sinani’s Luxembourg goals have come in 16 UNL appearances.
Hot stat: Turkey have kept four successive clean sheets for the first time since 2006 – with that run 16 years ago starting with a 1-0 win over Luxembourg.