Turkey v France
Saturday 8th June 1945hrs
Football – International – Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 6/5 (odds taken 21.20 GMT, Thursday 6th June)
The World Champions are always there to be shot at and Saturday will be no different as France travel to Konya to face Turkey in a crucial Euro 202 qualification match.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting at William Hill
Turkey Preview – Can Turkey upset the World Champions?
Turkey have not qualified for successive European Championships since 1996 and 2000, and that’s the objective for this current squad. After being eliminated from Euro 2016 at the group stage, there is also a feeling they should be performing better when reaching these finals. The experienced Senol Gunes has been tasked with leading them to do just that but he needs to ensure their passage there first. It’s been the perfect start for Turkey thus far with two comprehensive victories to open up their campaign. A very decent 2-0 win away to Albania followed by a 4-0 thrashing over Moldova at home see them sitting joint top of Group H with their next opponents, France. It was expected that they would be competing with Iceland for that second spot if the French do dominate but Saturday presents a chance for Gunes’ men to jump into top spot outright.
This period is likely to be important as they then travel to face Iceland the following Tuesday. If they find themselves sitting in the top two positions after both matches it will have been a very successful time. Preparations have also been good as Turkey have won two friendly games in the past week, giving game time to all of their squad ahead of the real action on Saturday.
France – Are France set for some Turkish delight?
The future has looked bright for the French national team for a number of years and last year’s World Cup triumph was a crowning glory for this current group. The challenge for Deschamps and his players is to follow that up and dominate international football for years to come. The 1998 winning squad were able to follow up and win Euro 2000 but there’s a feeling they could have done even more. The French were below par in the UEFA Nations League towards the end of 2018, but they have bounced back to form in this qualification campaign. Iceland were brushed aside in impressive fashion with Les Bleus winning 4-0. That came on the back of a 4-1 win in Moldova, so its job done so far with six points and seven goals scored.
Like Turkey, France have been successful in their warm-up for this game by defeating Bolivia 2-0 at home last Sunday.Deschamps will take his team to Andorra after their clash with Turkey. Should they be successful on Saturday then you would fully expect France to take a maximum haul of points from these two games. Do that, and it would be they who continue setting the pace in this group.
Key-Facts – Turkey v France
- Senol Gunes has enjoyed a positive start in his reign as Turkish boss but his 100% record will be tested with the visit of the world champions
- France were disappointed with their performance in the Nations League but have bounced back to form of late
- The French have conceded in six of their last weight away games
Turkey v France Betting Advice
Somewhat surprisingly this will be the first meeting between these two nations in 10 years. Turkey’s home matches are famous for their fierce and fiery atmospheres and that will no doubt await the French team on Saturday. Despite that atmosphere they have suffered a few defeats in recent times – losing four of their last 11. Gunes has won all three of his home games, though, and is working with a 100% record at the moment. Saturday is sure to be a big test for France but what we know from this group is they tend to deal well with most of the challenges thrown their way.
Gunes’ Turkey have had a good lead-in to this game, but this is the serious stuff now and will be an indication of how good they are. Iceland on Tuesday may be a more important game in terms of second spot but they cannot afford to sacrifice their home games. Roared on by their passionate support Turkey will feel they can cause the World Champions problems. France have conceded in six of their last eight away games and that could be the weakness the hosts take advantage of.
