Turkey vs Montenegro Prediction: 11/10/2024

Turkey emerged victorious in their Nations League C group last season, earning promotion to League B this year. Hakan Calhanoglu and his teammates made an impressive start in September, positioning them well for a potential rise to the elite level.

They currently top their group after a goalless draw in Wales and a significant 3-1 victory against Iceland. Turkey also showcased their quality during Euro 2024 in Germany, finishing second in Group F, behind Portugal but ahead of Georgia and the Czech Republic. They made it to the quarter-finals by defeating Austria 2-1 before losing to the Netherlands 2-1.

In the previous Nations League, Montenegro fought hard to retain their spot in League B, ultimately finishing third with the same points as Romania, who finished last. This year, their main goal is to maintain their place in League B. However, September didn’t go well for Montenegro as they lost both matches, falling 2-0 to Iceland and 2-1 to Wales.

Montenegro has never qualified for a major international tournament, but they performed respectably in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, finishing third in Group G, just three points behind the second-place team, which would have earned them a spot in Germany.

Turkey is missing several players due to injuries, including defenders Soyuncu (Fenerbahce, 56 caps), Kabak (Hoffenheim, 26 caps), Ozkacar (Valladolid, 9 caps), and young goalkeeper Alemdar (Rennes, 2 caps). Midfielder Ozcan (Wolfsburg, 22 caps) and winger Cengiz Under (Fenerbahce, 16 goals in 51 caps) were not called up, nor was the young talent Can Uzun (18, Frankfurt, 1 cap).

Striker Yilmaz (Galatasaray, 2 goals in 21 matches), who was sent off in the first Nations League match, is available again this Friday. Promising talents Arda Guler (Real Madrid, 2 goals in 14 appearances) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus, 1 goal in 14 appearances) are also options, along with winger Akturkoglu (Benfica, 9 goals in 36 appearances), who netted a hat-trick against Iceland. Notable players like Demiral (Al-Ahli, 49 caps) and Calhanoglu (Inter, 19 goals in 92 caps) are also included.

Montenegro will be without defenders Savic (Trabzonspor, 9 goals in 73 caps) and Vesovic (Qarabag, 54 caps), as well as promising young midfielder Adzic (18, Juventus, 0 caps), who is injured. Additionally, experienced goalkeeper Mijatovic (37, Podgorica, 40 caps), defender Dreskovic (Debrecen, 3 caps), midfielders Brnovic (Podgorica, 4 caps), Erakovic (Omonia Nicosia, 4 caps), Kosovic (Meizhou Hakka, 34 caps), Savicevic (Vojvodina, 20 caps), and forwards Radulovic (Vojvodina, 0 goals in 3 caps) and Djukanovic (Standard Liège, 0 goals in 4 caps) were not called up.

Some key players are still available, such as former Monaco forward Jovetic (Omonia Nicosia, 36 goals in 80 caps), full-back Marusic (Lazio, 61 caps), and midfielder Jovovic (Sogdiana Jizzakh, 60 caps). In attack, Krstovic (Lecce, 3 goals in 20 caps) and Mugosa (Incheon United, 15 goals in 58 caps) will be involved.

 

Prediction

Montenegro has shown a good average of goals in recent games, scoring three or more in 10 of their last 19 UEFA Nations League matches. This suggests that Turkey might face a challenging game, particularly since eight of their last 12 Nations League matches have featured over 2.5 goals.

Prediction: Turkey 2 : 1 Montenegro