The second round of group fixtures at Euro 2020 gets under way on Wednesday, with Turkey and Wales set to meet in a potentially pivotal clash in Group A.
Turkey had been tipped by many as dark horses to enjoy an impressive run at the finals, but they produced a disappointing display during their opening match against Italy, losing 3-0 and failing to register a shot on target.
That has heaped the pressure on Senol Gunes’ side ahead of Wednesday’s match in Baku, but opponents Wales could also do with a victory following their 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their group opener.
Turkish Delight in Baku
Wednesday’s match in the Azerbaijani capital will feel like a home game for Turkey, as the two countries are such close geopolitical allies, which means most of the supporters in attendance will be rooting for the Crescent-Stars.
Turkey were in good form prior to their defeat to Italy, as they had lost just one of their previous 13 games, a sequence that includes a draw with Germany and impressive victories over the likes of the Netherlands, Russia and Norway.
Wales have also proved tough to beat of late, losing just two of their previous 11 games, but Robert Page’s side were arguably fortunate to get a point against Switzerland and may come unstuck in this one.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since 1997, when Turkey claimed a 6-4 victory during a World Cup qualifier.
A repeat of that scoreline seems unlikely on Wednesday, but the Euro 2008 semi-finalists do look good value to win the contest at 6/4.
Attacking Approach Expected
The top two teams in each group at the finals will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while the four best third-placed sides will also progress.
That would ordinarily make a draw in this match a satisfactory outcome for both sides, but given Turkey lost their opening group game and Wales’ final match will be against the highly-impressive Italians, we could well see both sides going all out for the win.
Turkey have scored two goals or more in nine of their previous 13 internationals, while their defence has also been leaky, as they have kept just three clean sheets over the same period, conceding three against Latvia during a World Cup qualifier in March.
Wales’ matches have not tended to be as expansive, but the Dragons’ last two away fixtures have seen over 2.5 goals scored and a repeat of that on Wednesday can be backed at 29/20.
Yilmaz to Prove Turkey’s Hero
Like many of his team-mates, Turkey captain Burak Yilmaz endured a difficult night against Italy, but the veteran forward has arguably come into the tournament in the best form of his career after contributing 16 goals during Lille’s shock title success in Ligue 1.
The 35-year-old has also netted five goals in his last five appearances for Turkey, including a hat-trick during their 4-2 victory over the Netherlands back in March.
Yilmaz’s tally of 29 international goals is more than double that of anyone else in the Turkey squad and he is priced at 12/5 to be an anytime scorer against Wales.
*All odds correct at time of writing