Two teams in need of a good start to their campaign lock horns in the World Cup qualifiers, with Norway welcome Norway this weekend. The match schedules for Saturday at the Estadio La Rosaleda in Malaga, with a kickoff at 8 pm.
The clash comes at a neutral venue due to the current coronavirus restrictions, though Norway remains the designated home team for this exciting Group G clash.
Turkey’s qualifying campaign started on a high note with a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in Istanbul. 35-yeard-old striker Burak Yilmaz netted a hat-trick while Hakan Calhanoglu sealed the night off with a long-range net.
The scoreline’s emphatic nature might come as a surprise, but the away side took points off France, Germany, and world-cup finalists Croatia over the last 18 months. However, Senol Gunes’s men have set a caliber with their recent outings.
The Lions eased a 3-0 win over Gilbraltar in their Group G through Alexander Sorloth, Kristian Thorstvedt, and Jonas Svensson. It made it three wins, one draw, and one defeat in five games since losing to Serbia back in October in the Euro qualifying ties.
Stale Solbakken’s men have only lost five of their last 28 matches and set their eyes on a first World Cup appearance since 1998. Turkey last qualified back in 2002 and famously finished third.
Norway vs. Turkey Head to Head
Both sides are yet to meet at this stage of the competition, which marks their first time. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Gibraltar 0-3 Norway
Romania 3-0 Norway
Norway 1-0 Northern Ireland
Norway 4-0 Romania
Northern Ireland 1-5 Norway
Away
Turkey 4-2 Netherlands
Hungary 2-0 Turkey
Turkey 3-2 Russia
Turkey 2-2 Serbia
Russia 1-1 Turkey
Norway Team News
Despite getting withdrawn in the early minutes of the game due to an injury scare, Martin Odegaard is available for selection. Erling Haaland did not add to his six international goals, but he will have the chance at Malaga. There are many big selection calls to make, with Joshua King, Jens Petter Hague, and Patrick Berg pushing for recalls.
Turkey Team News
Leicester City’s winger Cengiz Under is unavailable for selection, meaning Yacizi will have to operate on the right win. Yilmaz certainly cemented his place in the starting XI in their last outing to get the nod.
Prediction and Odds
Both teams continue proving hard to defeat over a couple of years, thus making up for an exciting clash.
Norway Win
Both Teams to Score
Haaland to Score
