Portugal Vs Turkey
Portugal Vs Turkey Thursday 24 March, 2022 – 19:45 (GMT)
World Cup Qualifying Play-Off
Pick: Portugal Win, Over 2.5 Goals & Cristiano Ronaldo To Score
Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 22 March 2022)
Preview: A ninth meeting between the nations sees Portugal seeking to extend their dominant head-to-head record to seven victories, all while taking a big step towards a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance. Blocking their path to the play-off final is Turkey, who would leave Portugal as 3-1 victors upon last visiting the country in June 2012.
World Cup Qualifying Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Portugal – Ronaldo & Co. to atone for Serbian collapse?
Last summer’s disappointing European Championship performance, when they were eliminated in the first knockout round by Belgium with a record of one win from four matches (D1 L2), was quickly consigned to history as Portugal won three qualifiers on the spin in their attempts to reach a sixth consecutive World Cup finals. It was to prove a false dawn, however, A Selecao coming unstuck in their final two fixtures.
A goalless draw in Dublin against Ireland and a shock 2-1 defeat in Lisbon to Serbia, the latter after leading inside the opening two minutes, condemned Fernando Santos’ team to second in Group A. Their qualifying fate residing across two play-off encounters, the second most likely against European champions Italy, but only after negotiating the challenge of Turkey, whom they boast an excellent record against (W6 L2).
Key Stat: There has been at least three goals scored across each of Portugal’s five previous home internationals, all of which except the 2-1 reverse to Serbia resulted in victory for Fernando Santos and his players.
Turkey – Crescent Stars no longer trusted after dismal Euro 2020?
Quite possibly the most hyped dark horse ever to feature at a major tournament, Turkey’s subsequent last place finish in Group A at Euro 2020 left many red faced. The Crescent Stars were clearly a better team than the evidence of their work from the previous summer. However three comprehensive defeats to Italy, Switzerland and Wales has undoubtedly altered perceptions ahead of a play-off with Portugal.
Stefan Kuntz’ side have at least produced a strong response, winning four of seven World Cup qualifiers to seal a runner-up berth in Group G. Turkey won four of five qualifiers on the road but shot themselves in the foot in Amsterdam. With the difference between the first-place Dutch and the Crescent Stars a mere two points come the end, that chastening 6-1 loss in the Netherlands ultimately proved decisive.
Key Stat: Since the start of 2021, Turkey have won four out of five away matches (W4 L1) – though were thrashed 6-1 against the only host that resembles anything close to the quality of Portugal, which was the Netherlands.
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Portugal Vs Turkey Betting Advice
Both an excellent head-to-head record, with six wins from eight prior meetings (L2), and in World Cup play-offs, winning all four such matches they have ever featured in, suggests Portugal will have what it takes to set up a final showdown with either Italy or North Macedonia. Especially should Turkey replicate the form shown at Euro 2020, in which they were hopeless as they lost all three matches 1-8 on aggregate.
Portugal Vs Turkey – Key Facts:
- Across their eight previous head-to-head contests, Turkey have only managed two wins (L6). Although The Crescent Stars would secure victory on their most recent visit to Portugal, winning a 2012 friendly international 3-1.
- Both these teams were group stage runner-ups in qualifying. Portugal were second in Group A with a record of W5 D2 L1, Turkey second in Group G with a record of W6 D3 L1.
- Each of the last four Portugal home wins saw Over 2.5 Goals and a goal for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now the men’s all time leading goalscorer at international level with 115.
Portugal are around 2/5 to win this inside 90 minutes which looks fair. Their squad is significantly stronger, particularly in attack, and it is widely expected they can exploit a Turkey backline that has wilted in the face of quality opposition recently. All of Portugal’s past five home encounters saw Over 2.5 Goals, four of which resulted in a win with Ronaldo finding the back of the net each time.
Best Betting Odds – Portugal Vs Turkey
Portugal – 2/5 (Bet365)
Draw – 19/5 (BetVictor)
Turkey – 15/2 (PaddyPower)
