Czech Republic vs Turkey Prediction: Expert Analysis and Match Preview
The Czech Republic and Turkey will clash in their final Group F match at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Wednesday evening.
This match is crucial for both teams, as the Czechs need a win to stay alive, while Turkey will progress to the knockout phase with just a point. Which team will fulfil their ambitions?
Czech Republic vs Turkey: Recent Form and Key Players
Turkey enters this game on the back of three straight wins against the Czech Republic. Arda Guler should be back in the starting eleven on Wednesday. However, the Czech Republic will be without their most important player, Patrick Schick, due to injury. Both sides have scored in each of the Czech Republic’s last six matches in all competitions.
Czech Republic’s Tournament Journey
Czech star striker Patrick Schick’s goal in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Georgia on Saturday afternoon saved the day for his national team. It was the Czechs’ first point of the tournament after their opening 2-1 defeat to Group F winners Portugal.
Turkey’s Performance in the Group Stage
Turkey picked up three points on the opening day with a 3-1 win over Georgia. In the second round, however, this impression was somewhat tarnished by a heavy 3-0 defeat against Portugal. Despite this setback, Turkey remains confident heading into the final group match.
Czech Republic vs Turkey Line-ups and Team News
Czech Republic (3-4-3): Stanek, Holes, Hranac, Krejci, Coufal, Provod, Soucek, Jurasek – Barak, Hlozek, Chytil
Patrick Schick had to leave the game against Georgia with an injury shortly after scoring the equaliser.
According to the latest reports, the match has come too soon for the Bayer Leverkusen star striker. His team-mate Adam Hlozek could replace him in the final third alongside Mojmir Chytil.
Turkey (4-5-1): Gunok, Celik, Demiral, Ayhan, Kadioglu, Yuksek, Calhanoglu, Akturkoglu, Guler, Yildiz, Yilmaz
For Turkey, head coach Vincenzo Montella is hoping that his regular goalkeeper, Mert Gunok, will be available again after missing the defeat against Portugal with a knee injury.
Arda Guler is also expected to be back in the starting eleven after sitting on the bench in the round of 16 against Portugal due to a groyne injury. Abdulkerim Bardakci is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the first two rounds.
Turkey’s Strategy and Potential for Victory
Turkey wants to strike back on the final matchday. Vincenzo Montella has plenty of problems with injured players in the run-up to Euro 2024.
The situation has worsened with the latest injuries ahead of the second-round match against Portugal.
Although Turkey looked poor for large parts of the game, there are several reasons to back a win on the final day of the group stage.
Firstly, Real Madrid’s wonderkid Arda Guler is expected to be fit again and in the starting line-up. Secondly, the Czechs have not been convincing in the tournament so far.
The fact that they were lucky to avoid defeat against Georgia on Saturday speaks volumes.Last but not least, Turkey goes into the game with three wins in a row against the Czech Republic.
These included two wins at the European Championships, both in the third round of the group stage. With attractive odds of 2.75, you can bet on Turkey winning the title on Wednesday.
Defensive Weaknesses and Scoring Potential
Both teams have shown weaknesses in defense so far. Odds of 1.57 are in favour of both teams scoring. In the Czechs’ last six games in all competitions, goals have been scored in both games.
Turkey has conceded six goals in their last three games in all competitions. They also scored three goals in their first-round win over Georgia.
Both teams also scored in the last direct encounter between the two sides. Turkey won 2-1 in a friendly match in November 2022.
