Prediction: Portugal vs Turkey

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to extend on their World Cup qualifying adventure on Thursday night, Portugal will welcome Turkey to the Estádio do Dragão.

Portugal

Starting with the hosts, after being hit with their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at home against Serbia last time out, there is no doubt that Portugal will be seeking an immediate response here. Throwing away an automatic spot at this year’s World Cup finals after falling at the final hurdle, Head Coach Fernando Santos will know that he still has real pressure on his position. Likewise, shocking many as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Ireland on foreign soil back in November, the Navigators know that they cannot afford another slip-up here. Still holding a stacked squad of European superstars, there is no doubt that fans around the Estádio do Dragão will be calling on Cristiano Ronaldo to spearhead their charge on Thursday night. Desperate to help Portugal put their November nightmare behind them, the Manchester United icon racked up six qualifying goals last year, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 romp against Luxembourg.

Team News

After picking up a pair of costly bookings against Serbia last time out, the duo of Renato Sanches and Joao Cancelo will miss out as they serve a suspension.

Likewise, Cancelo’s teammate and fellow defender Ruben Dias has not been selected as he deals with an ongoing thigh injury.

Turkey

As for the visitors, while Turkey might have failed to snatch top spot off of the Netherlands last year, there is no doubt that Stefan Kuntz’s side have largely impressed many across Europe. Last seen back on November 16th when coming from behind to grab a 2-1 win away at Montenegro, the Crescent-Stars did sign off their Group G campaign with three wins on the spin. Likewise, aside from that 6-1 drumming when they made the trip out to Holland six months ago, it appears that might have just been a minor blip for the Whites. In fact, aside from that defeat in Amsterdam, that is the only loss that Turkey have suffered from any of their previous seven matchups across all formats. Eventually snatching that lucrative second-spot after edging past Norway, Kuntz has also seen his side gain a reputation for their rather lively outcomes at both ends of the pitch.

Team News

After serving a suspension against Montenegro, Sassuolo’s Mert Muldur looks set to make his return on Thursday night.

Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu has also been included in Turkey’s squad and will be joined by Merih Demiral at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two nations last faced off in a friendly contest back in 2012, Turkey picked up a 3-1 victory on foreign soil.
• Including that shock 2-1 defeat against Serbia last time out, Portugal have seen six of their previous seven outings finish with over 2.5 goals.
• Likewise, seven of Turkey’s last eight outings have also finished with over 2.5 goals.
• Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo recorded six World Cup qualifying goals last year.
• Aside from a 6-1 drumming against Holland, Turkey have won three of their previous four matchups on foreign soil.

Conclusion

While Portugal might open Thursday’s meeting as a real standout pick with the bookmakers, we could be in for another enjoyable affair at the Estádio do Dragão. Desperate to try and fully put November’s shock 2-1 defeat against Serbia behind them, the former European champions know that they cannot afford any more public slip-ups. Although Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo should spearhead their charge here, a resilient Turkey squad could be smelling the chance to cause a real upset on foreign soil. Signing off their qualifying run last year with three victories on the spin, it’s also worth highlighting that Thursday’s guests have gained a reputation for their rather lively outcomes. Likewise, with Portugal seeing six of their last seven outings finish with over 2.5 goals, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet