FIFA World Cup qualifying-Europe returns to the fold this Thursday when Portugal welcomes Turkey to Estádio do Dragão in one of the opening fixtures. Kickoff schedules for 24th March 2022 at 22:45 EAT.
Portugal has not failed to reach the World Cup since 1998 but their qualification over the past 20 years hasn’t always been straightforward. The Seleção have required play-offs to reach two of the past three World Cups and it’s no difference for 2022. Fernando Santos’ men were favorites to top Group A in qualifying and went into the final game in control.
Portugal comes into this game after they suffered 1-2 WC Qualifiers – Europe defeat at the hand of Serbia in their last match. In that game, Portugal managed 43% possession, nine shots with three of them on target and a goal scored by Renato Sanches (2′). Serbia on the other side got 11 shots with three of them on target and goals by Dušan Tadić (33′) and Aleksandar Mitrović (90′).
Meanwhile, despite taking maximum points from their final three fixtures in the group stages, it was a little too late for Turkey to pip the Netherlands to the top spot in Group G. Stefan Kuntz’s side seek just a third-ever appearance at the World Cup finals. Since crashing out of Euro 2020 without a single point to their name, the Crescent-Stars have only suffered one defeat in seven games since – although it was a 6-1 humbling at the hands of the Dutch – and they marched to successive wins over Latvia, Gibraltar and Montenegro to round off Group G.
The Crescent-Stars will be looking for another win following 1-2 WC Qualifiers – Europe success over Montenegro in their last match. In that game, Turkey had 73% possession, 16 shots with eight of them on target and goals scored by Kerem Aktürkoğlu (22′) and Orkun Kökçü (60′). Montenegro got 12 shots with three of them on target and a goal by Bećiraj (4′).
Portugal vs Turkey head to head
Out of the four meetings between these two teams since 1996; Portugal claims three wins while Turkey will be aiming for the second victory.
- Portugal 1-3 Turkey 02/06/12
- Portugal 2-0 Turkey 07/06/08
- Turkey 0-2 Portugal 24/06/00
- Portugal 1-0 Turkey 14/06/96
Home
- Portugal 1-2 Serbia
- Ireland 0-0 Portugal
- Portugal 5-0 Luxembourg
- Portugal 3-0 Qatar
- Azerbaijan 0-3 Portugal
Away
- Montenegro 1-2 Turkey
- Turkey 6-0 Gibraltar
- Latvia 1-2 Turkey
- Turkey 1-1 Norway
- Netherlands 6-1Turkey
Portugal team news
The hosts will be without Ruben due to injury, the suspended Joao Cancelo and Pepe who just tested positive for COVID-19.
Turkey team news
The visitors boast a fully fit squad ahead of this fixture.
Prediction and odds
Portugal are struggling under Fernando Santos’ management, however they have an extremely talented squad like Cristiano Ronaldo while Turkey also has some interesting squad and they will not go down without a fair fight.
- Portugal win
- Goals over 2.5
- Both teams to score
