Turkiye take on the visitors Wales in the round 5 match of UEFA Nations League group stage. The match will be played on Saturday, November 16th at Kadir Has Stadium (Kayseri).
Turkey maintains its momentum. The “Janissaries” have managed to recover from their disastrous Euro 2020 campaign, where they finished last among 24 teams. Struggling for consistency under Stefan Kuntz, they missed out on the World Cup and were on the brink of failing to qualify for Euro 2024. A year ago, they turned to Vincenzo Montella, who had prior success at the club level in Turkey. Under his guidance, Turkey secured early qualification with key victories. At the Euros, they left a strong impression, beating Georgia and the Czech Republic in the group stage and eliminating Austria in the playoffs. They even took the lead against the Netherlands but conceded twice quickly, with an own goal sealing their exit. However, this setback did not shake their confidence. In the Nations League, Turkey started with a 0-0 draw in Wales before defeating Iceland twice and Montenegro, taking control of their group.
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Wales recently experienced the most successful period in their footballing history, highlighted by their Euro 2020 run and a World Cup appearance. However, Qatar marked the end of an era as legendary winger Gareth Bale retired from football. Without their iconic captain, Wales struggled in last year’s qualification campaign, including a loss to Turkey. They bounced back somewhat by thrashing Finland in a playoff opener before a goalless draw with Poland saw them eliminated, with Szczęsny emerging as the penalty shootout hero. In the Nations League, Bellamy took over as manager and has shown promise. After the aforementioned draw with Turkey, Wales earned four points against Montenegro and played out an exciting 2-2 away draw with Iceland. However, they still face the risk of being overtaken by Iceland before a decisive final matchup.
The two teams have met frequently in recent years. Wales triumphed 2-0 at Euro 2021, but Turkey turned the tables in last year’s qualifiers, winning 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away. Their most recent encounter ended in a goalless stalemate. Turkey’s home form has been strong, and Montella has instilled tactical discipline and confidence in his squad. Their Nations League success builds on the foundation laid at Euro 2024, making them tough opponents. Wales, despite Bellamy’s fresh approach, remains inconsistent and reliant on emerging talents to fill the void left by Bale. Playing at home gives Turkey a clear edge. Their attacking depth and defensive organization should help them secure victory. Expect a close game, but Turkey’s experience and momentum suggest a home win, possibly 2-0 or 2-1.
Prediction for the match: Turkiye to win.
