Turkey vs Iceland Prediction: 9/9/2024

Turkey led Group D in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, finishing 17 points ahead of Croatia, and went on to deliver an impressive performance in the tournament. In a challenging Group F alongside Czechia, Georgia, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Turkey managed to secure 6 points, taking 2nd place in the group.

They advanced to the Round of 16, where they stunned Austria with a 2-1 victory. In the quarterfinals, Turkey initially took the lead but eventually fell to the Netherlands, losing 2-1 after failing to capitalize on crucial chances. Turkey then faced Wales last Friday in their Nations League opener.

Iceland, on the other hand, had its share of memorable moments during the 2016 European Championships in France, where they famously knocked out England 1-0 in the Round of 16 before being eliminated by France in the quarterfinals. However, Iceland’s fortunes have declined since. In their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, they finished far behind Portugal, who had a perfect 30 points, and placed well ahead of Luxembourg in third with 17 points. Last Friday, Iceland faced Montenegro in what was considered a winnable match in their Nations League campaign.

Turkey faces several injuries and absences in their squad. Key player Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton), one of Turkey’s standout performers at the last Euro, is injured, along with Kaplan (Ajax), Özcakar (Valladolid), and Akgün (Galatasaray). Enes Ünal (Bournemouth), Cengiz Ünder (now with Fenerbahçe), and defenders Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim) and Ridvan Yilmaz (Rangers) are also sidelined.

Coach Stefan Kuntz chose not to call up veteran players like Cenk Tosun (Fenerbahçe), Yusuf Yazıcı (without a club), and Ali Yıldırım (Getafe) for this match following the Euros. However, rising stars like Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan) are available, along with other key players like Orkun Kökçü (Benfica) and Salih Özcan (Wolfsburg).

Iceland also has injury concerns, notably with Albert Gudmundsson, their new star who has been out with Fiorentina since the start of the season. Defender Hordur Magnusson (Panathinaikos) is also injured, while his defensive partner Sverrir Ingason (Panathinaikos) is vice-captain.

Promising youngster Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson (20 years old) is sidelined as well. Iceland’s attacking lineup includes Andri Guðjohnsen (son of Icelandic legend Eidur Guðjohnsen), who now has 24 caps and 6 goals for his country. Veteran Gylfi Sigurðsson (Valur Reykjavik), who has scored 27 goals in 80 appearances, also returns to the squad.

 

Prediction

This matchup has historically been one-sided, with Iceland holding four consecutive victories over Turkey in the UEFA Nations League as part of a 17-match unbeaten streak against their neighbors. Turkey, meanwhile, has struggled, losing seven of their last eight league games. Given the current form of both teams, this could end in a closely contested draw.

Prediction: Turkey 1-1 Iceland