Turkey vs Italy UEFA Nations League Tips & Prediction - Goals expected in Nations League clash
Italy are favored to open the scoring against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League clash in Bursa, driven by trends showing Italy's habit of starting strong and Turkey conceding first. Both teams have been inconsistent of late; Italy are clinging to past Euro 2020 glory, while Turkey couldn't make it past the World Cup group stage and lost to France in their Nations League opener. Expect goals—over 2.5 goals is a strong possibility—with Moise Kean and Arda Guler the key players to watch.
- Turkey vs Italy predictions for Monday's UEFA Nations League A game
- Both teams fragile defensively, goals expected
- Kean with a good strike rate for Italy; Gula remains most likely for wasteful Turkey outfit
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 4.45am AEST on Tuesday September 29
Turkey vs Italy UEFA Nations League Tips & Prediction
Recent trends involving these teams back Italy to score first against Turkey in a game featuring plenty of goals on Monday night in Bursa in the UEFA Nations League.
Tough to have any confidence with either of these teams at the moment.
Italy, save for their Euro 2020 heroics, have been abysmal over the bulk of the last decade, while Turkey were disappointing at the World Cup and coming off a defeat to France in their Nations League opener.
Which is why we're turning to the goals markets - with the main play featuring Italy to score first.
Indeed, Italy have scored the opening goal in eight of their last nine games, while Turkey have conceded first in their last five outings.
Over 2.5 goals for the game also appeals - both nations have a recent history of high-scoring games and there's defensive concerns for both, so the floodgates could easily open in Bursa.
Moise Kean looks the most likely for Italy - he's scored in nine of his last 12 internationals, including seven of his last eight starts, while Arda Guler has registered a goal involvement in 14 of his last 22 appearances for Turkey.
Turkey vs Italy Stats & Trends
- Italy have scored first in eight of their last nine games
- Turkey have conceded first in their last five games
- Two of the last three meetings have seen Over 2.5 goals
- Turkiye saw Over 2.5 goals in seven of their eight competitive games last year
- Italy scored 21 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers last year
- Moise Kean has scored nine goals in his last 12 games for Italy
- Arda Guler has 14 goals/assists in his last 22 games for Turkey
Turkey vs Italy Head To Head
Italy have won nine of the 13 previous meetings between the teams, with Turkey still chasing their first win in this matchup after four other draws.
Turkey Form Analysis
It was a poor World Cup for Turkey as they failed to make it out of the group stage following defeats to Australia and Paraguay - despite racking up 60+ shots across the two games.
Ultimately, a win over USA in their final group game wasn't enough.
Turkey launched their Nations League A campaign this past weekend with a 1-0 defeat at home to France.
However, Vincenzo Montella's team had a higher xG than Les Bleus - but it is a worry that Turkey continue to lack a final product following their missed chances at the World Cup.
Turkey Team News
Ugurcan Cakir was sent off in the loss to France, meaning Altay Bayindir should start in goals.
Key midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu, Kenan Yildiz and Orkun Kokcu are sidelined with injury. Turkey will look to Real Madrid star Gula to create in the final third as the hosts look to finally click in attack.
Turkey Possible Starting XI (3-4-2-1): Altay Bayindir; Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakci; Oguz Aydin, Salih Ozcan, Ismail Yuksek, Ferdi Kadioglu; Arda Guler, Kerem Akturkoglu; Baris Alper Yilmaz
Italy Form Analysis
After missing out on three consecutive World Cups, Italy have turned to Euro 2020-winning manager Roberto Mancini to help spark a turnaround.
However, there was more disappointment in Mancini's second spell as the national manager, with Italy suffering a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in their Nations League opener in Rome.
The Azzurri won the shot count 21-19, but couldn't find the back of the net, losing to Belgium for the first time since 1972. Italy will now try to avoid their first ever defeat to Turkey.
Italy Team News
Mancini has selected a 34-man squad for these Nations League fixtures, but is without a number of key players, including Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli.
Moise Kean, Gianluca Scamacca and brothers Sebastiano and Pio Esposito are the main attacking threats, while Gianluigi Donnarumma will skipper the side in his 85th cap.
Italy Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Michael Kayode, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori; Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi; Nicolo Cambiaghi, Pio Esposito, Giacomo Raspadori
Verdict
Goals are backed in this Nations League contest, with Italy tipped to open the scoring.
Italy
To Score First
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Over 2.5
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Moise Keane
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Arda Guler
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