Verdict: Kenan Yildiz to score anytime
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Knowing that they can officially clinch a silver medal finish in Group E this weekend, Turkey will welcome Bulgaria to the Timsah Arena.
Turkey
Starting with the hosts, while Turkey might have come under plenty of scrutiny back in September as they slumped to a 6-0 drumming at home against reigning European champions Spain, Vincenzo Montella’s camp have proven that nightmare performance was just a minor blip. Embarking on what has been a stellar World Cup qualifying adventure, the Crescent Stars are cruising their way to at least a silver medal finish in Group E. Last seen putting in a dominant display as they cruised their way to a 4-1 victory against Georgia, Turkey have won three of their four qualifying appearances this year. With their Group E charge underlined by a 6-1 romp away against Bulgaria last month, the former AC Milan boss has seen his squad continue to impress with their clinical performances in the final third.
Turkey Team News
All still picking up recent injury issues, the trio of Eren Elmali, Isak Vural and Ayberk Karap have all withdrawn from Montella’s squad. Inter Milan ace Hakan Calhanoglu will lead Turkey out on Saturday evening and earn a 102nd international cap.
Already notching three goals in his first four World Cup qualifying appearances, Juventus ace Kenan Yildiz will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a big-money switch to Galatasaray over the summer, Ugurcan Cakir will start between the sticks this weekend.
Bulgaria
As for the visitors, last seen putting in another woeful display as they slumped to a 4-0 defeat away at reigning European champions Spain, Bulgaria have endured a public qualifying nightmare this year. Getting their Group E adventure underway with a 3-0 loss at home against La Roja on September 4th, the Lions have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Including a 6-1 drumming at the hands of Turkey on October 11th, Aleksandar Dimitrov’s side have lost all of their four qualifying appearances by an aggregate score of 16-1. Likewise, watching their Nations League promotion charge come to an end back in March following a 4-2 aggregate defeat against Ireland, Bulgaria have continued to show some glaring defensive struggles.
Bulgaria Team News
Despite all initially being called up to Dimitrov’s squad this month, the trio of Anton Nedyalkov, Petko Hristov and Radoslav Kirilov have all withdrawn due to respective knocks. Despite notching just a single strike since the end of September, skipper Kiril Despodov will lead the line on Saturday and earn a 59th international cap.
Although Ilia Gruev might have registered just 19 minutes of Premier League action since September 20th, the 25-year-old will start in the middle of the park here. Playing his domestic football with Spanish outfit Spezia, Petko Hristov will start at the heart of Bulgaria’s defence.
Turkey vs Bulgaria Key Factors to Consider
When Turkey and Bulgaria met for their reverse World Cup qualifying showdown on October 11th, Saturday’s hosts stormed their way to a 6-1 romp on foreign soil.
Montella’s men have won their previous three straight meetings against Bulgaria by an aggregate score of 12-1.
Turkey have registered three wins from their first four Group E appearances this year.
Bulgaria have lost their four qualifying matchups by an aggregate score of 16-1.
Saturday’s guests have remarkably shipped 26 goals across all competitions so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a routine 6-1 romp when they welcomed Bulgaria to town last month, Turkey will be seeking a repeat performance here. Knowing that they can at least officially secure a silver medal finish in Group E this weekend, Saturday’s hosts will be confident of making another statement. With Bulgaria’s leaky defence continuing to show a string of issues this calendar year, Montella’s men should be confident of running rampant. Watching Dimitrov’s side already ship 26 goals so far this calendar year, Turkey’s attacking starlets should be smelling another golden opportunity this weekend.
Verdict: Kenan Yildiz to score anytime
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
