Turkey vs Bulgaria Prediction & Betting Tips (15 November)

3rd in the 2002 World Cup, Turkey has not played in any World Cup since. The selection has a good chance of ending its drought this season. Indeed, Arda Güler's teammates today occupy 2nd place in group E with 3 points behind the leader and 6 ahead of 3rd place, which does not qualify for the play-offs. Badly beaten at home by Spain during the 2nd day 0-6, they otherwise took the upper hand over Georgia twice 2-3 and 4-1 and Bulgaria 1-6. Present at Euro 2024, Turkey had shown good things by reaching the quarter-finals before validating its rise to the Nations League A last March with a 6-1 victory at the end of the two-way matches against Hungary.

Not at the level of its opponents in these qualifiers which began last September, Bulgaria is dead last in Group E with 0 points on the clock. The Carpathians selection can no longer hope to return to 2nd place, which allows them to compete in a play-off. Aleksandar Dimitrov's band largely lost their four matches against Spain twice 0-3 and 4-0, Georgia 3-0 and Turkey 1-6. Absent from all international competitions since Euro 2004, Bulgaria narrowly missed promotion to the Nations League B last March, losing 2-4 after the two-way matches against Ireland. 

Turkey deplores the withdrawals of attackers Uzun (Frankfurt, 4 sel) and Akgün (Galatasaray, 3 goals in 17 sel). After leaving the selection in the middle of the last rally, goalkeeper Özer (Lille, 2 sel) was not called up. In the offensive sector, the nuggets Güler (Real Madrid, 6 goals in 25 seasons) and Yildiz (Juventus, 5 goals in 25 seasons) already play a leading role despite their 20 springs. On the attacking front, Aktürkoglu (Fenerbahce, 14 goals in 48 games) could still take his place. Defenders Celik (Roma, 56 sel) and Demiral (Al-Ahli, 59 sel) act as executives, as does midfielder Calhanoglu (Inter, 21 goals in 101 sel).

On the Bulgarian side, we note the absences of goalkeepers Vutsov (Levski Sofia, 10 sel), Iliev (Cherno More, 21 sel) and Sheytanov (CSKA). 1948, 1 sel), defenders Velkovski (Arda, 10 sel), Turitsov (CSKA Sofia, 20 sel) and Tsenov (Orenburg, 2 sel) as well as attacker Petkov (Elversberg, 8 sel), who were all in the squad in October. The coach can count on striker and captain Despodov (PAOK, 15 goals in 58 seasons). On the other hand, author of Bulgaria's only goal in these qualifiers, winger Kirilov (Levski Sofia, 3 goals in 25 seasons) was forced to withdraw.