Prediction: Turkey vs France

Verdict: France win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Two sides who have enjoyed a stellar start to their EURO 2020 qualifying campaign, Turkey will welcome France to Konya on Saturday night.

Turkey

Starting with the hosts, after losing three of their four Nations League outings and finishing behind both Sweden and Russia in League B, few would have expected Turkey’s eye-catching resurge. Picking up a pair of friendly victories over Greece and Uzbekistan to keep the morale in Şenol Güneş’ camp the highest it has been in recent memory, the Reds have also enjoyed a stellar start to their EURO 2020 qualifying campaign. Picking up maximum points in their opening two matchups against Moldova and Albania, only their goal difference sees them sat behind Saturday’s guests in Group H. Now enjoying a four-match winning run across all competitions, Güneş will be growing most impressed by Turkey’s newfound defensive resolve. Along with now scoring two or more goals in each of their previous four appearances, the hosts have also conceded just one goal in over 450 minutes of action.

Team News

Celta Vigo midfielder Okay Yokuslu has been ruled out after the knee injury that kept him out of last week’s win over Uzbekistan proved more serious than anticipated.

France

As for the visitors, while a shock 2-0 defeat away at Holland back in November may have cost France a spot in the semi-finals of the inaugural UEFA Nations League, France have bounced back in real fashion. Picking up a 2-0 win at home to Bolivia last week and now enjoying their own four-match winning run, Didier Deschamps’ men are unsurprisingly the overwhelming favorites to top Group H. Putting four past both Iceland and Moldova in their opening two qualifying appearances, the reigning World champions have continued to shine in the final third. While Kylian Mbappe’s goalscoring antics have stolen the headlines at PSG this year, one man to watch on Saturday will be wantaway Atletico Madrid striker, Antoine Griezmann. Spearheading France’s attack out in Russia last summer, the 28-year-old has now scored three in his last three while away on international duty. Fans around Paris will also be growing more impressed by Les Bleus’ record on the road. Aside from their loss away in Amsterdam last year, the Blues are unbeaten on their travels since June 2017.

Team News

Kylian Mbappe is fit to play despite going off injured in Sunday’s 2-0 friendly win over Bolivia, while Clement Lenglet is also available to make his senior debut after missing that game due to an infection.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has withdrawn from the due to a knee injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• France have won all three of their previous meetings against Turkey, scoring eight and conceding two in return.
• Both teams are enjoying a four-match winning run.
• Antoine Griezmann has three in his last three appearances for France.
• Turkey have conceded just one goal in their last five matches across all competitions.
• France have scored 10 goals in their last three appearances.

Conclusion

While Turkey have continued to impress with their newfound defensive resolve, Saturday’s hosts face an unenviable task up against a France side that is glittering with attacking stars. Given the World champions stellar start in their qualifying campaign, we’re backing the Blues to come away with the victory in what could be a hard-fought contest.

Verdict: France win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Bet365