Turkey vs Romania Prediction & Betting Tips (26 March)

Absent from all the last editions since her surprise 3rd place in 2002, Turkey intends to take part in a World Cup again this year. This selection has many assets which could allow it to satisfy this ambition even if it must indeed go through roadblocks to fulfill its mission. It must be said that Arda Güler's partners had no other choice than to take 2nd place in their group behind an untouchable Spanish team with whom they were still able to share the points on the last day of qualifying in November 2-2. Before that, those nicknamed "Bizim Çocuklar" our boys had won 3 great consecutive victories against Bulgaria 1-6, Georgia 4-1 and Bulgaria again 2-0. On the other hand, we have to go back even further, to 1998, to find any trace of Romania's participation in the World Cup.

1/8th finalist for the Euro in 2024, the 49th nation in the Fifa rankings only finished in 3rd position in its qualifying group behind Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina and only ahead of Cyprus and San Marino. Last October, the Tricolores won twice, against Moldova in a friendly 2-1 and against Austria 1-0 before falling the following month against Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1. The Romanians were still able to finish this qualifying campaign on a good note by winning by a wide margin over San Marino 7-1. 

Lille goalkeeper Özer (2 sel) was not summoned for this gathering. Same observation for the much more important Söyüncü (Fenerbahce, 59 sel) and for the important Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt, 4 sel) who are injured at the moment. However, the Turks can still rely on their stars like Arda Güler (Real Madrid, 26 sels, 6 goals) and Calhanoglu (Inter, 102 sels, 22 goals) who are the two main faces of this team. Also present are the defensive executives Demiral (Al-Ahli, 61 sel), Celik (Roma, 58 sel), Kadioglu (Brighton, 28 sel) and Kabak (Hoffenheim, 26 sel), the important midfielders Ayhan (Galatasaray, 72 sel, 5 goals) and Özcan (Dortmund, 27 sel) and the formidable attackers Aktürkoglu (Fenerbahce, 49 sels, 14 goals) and Yildiz (Juventus, 26 sels, 5 goals) in particular. On the Romanian side, goalkeeper Radu (Celta Vigo) had to miss his turn for this gathering, injured.

Veteran defender Chipciu (Universitatea Cluj, 50 sel), the important Manea (26 sel), midfield executives Marin (Pisa 35 sel) and Olaru (FCSB, 27 sel) and striker Dragus (Gaziantep, 27 sel, 7 goals), who is suspended, are also absent. As for the forces present, we can cite the experienced defenders Bancu (50 sel), Burca (44 sel), Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano, 36 sel) and Dragusin (Tottenham, 27 sel) and the very important midfielders Stanciu (84 sel, 15 goals), Marin (AEK Athens, 72 sel, 12 goals), Man (PSV, 43 sel, 11 goals) and Hagi (Alanyaspor, 51 goals, 8 goals). On the other hand, none of the 3 attackers selected for this international break have exceeded the 10 caps mark.