Prediction: Turkey vs Montenegro

Verdict: Turkey win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their Nations League campaign back underway on Friday night, Turkey will welcome Montenegro to Samsun.

Turkey

Starting with the hosts, while Turkey might have arrived in Germany over the summer at the heart of a wobble, Vincenzo Montella’s men sprung a real EURO 24 upset. Booking a quarter-final ticket and receiving plenty of plaudits from across the continent, the Crescent Stars will be smelling the chance to lay down a Nations League marker here. Already putting four points on the board from their opening two League B showdowns, the one-time AC Milan boss should find the mood in his camp at a continued high. Last seen signing off September’s international break with a routine 3-1 victory against Iceland, Turkey have now lost just a pair of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to March 2023.

Team News

Becoming a regular part of Real Madrid’s first-team plans this season, 19-year-old sensation Arda Guler has been included in Turkey’s squad and will play a leading role on Friday night. However, dealing with a recent knock, former Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu has been omitted from Montella’s side and will not feature over the next week.

Opening his Nations League account with a sensational hat-trick against Iceland last month and continuing to shine since arriving at Portuguese giants Benfica over the summer, the red-hot Kerem Akturkoglu will spearhead Turkey’s charge on Friday night.

Montenegro

As for the visitors, eventually falling short last year in the race to clinch what would have been a famous EURO 24 ticket, Montenegro have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability over the past 12 months. Getting their Nations League campaign underway with a 2-0 defeat away at Iceland on September 6th, the Brave Falcons are seeking a much-needed boost. Last seen putting in a worrying performance on home soil as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Wales, Robert Prosinecki’s side should be bracing themselves for a real challenge when they return on Friday night. In fact, including a 3-1 defeat against Georgia during June’s international break, Montenegro have lost each of their previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-2.

Team News

While Stevan Jovetic might turn 35 next month, the one-time Manchester City striker has been included in Montenegro’s squad and will earn an 81st international cap on Friday night. Featuring in all seven of Lazio’s opening Serie A appearances this season, Adam Marusic will feature here.

Opening his Championship account with a brace against Watford on October 2nd, Preston striker Milton Osmajic has been handed a spot in Prosinecki’s squad. Playing his domestic football with Scottish outfit Aberdeen Slobodan Rubezic will start at the heart of Montenegro’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Turkey and Montenegro last met back in November 2021 for a World Cup qualifying showdown, Friday’s hosts collected a 2-1 victory on foreign soil.
• Turkey are unbeaten in each of their four historic meetings against the Brave Falcons.
• Montella’s men have lost just a pair of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 2023.
• Montenegro have lost each of their last four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-2.
• Turkey have suffered just a single defeat on home soil since way back in March 2022.

Conclusion

Shocking many as they reached the EURO 24 quarter-finals over the summer, Turkey have once again impressed since opening up their Nations League adventure. Putting four points on the board from their first two League B appearances and last seen claiming a thumping 3-1 victory at home against Iceland, Friday’s hosts should be smelling a real opportunity here. Suffering just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in March 2022, Montella’s side will also be excited by their most recent showdown against the Brave Falcons. Landing a 2-1 win when they last met Montenegro back in November 2021, we are expecting a similar home victory this weekend.

Verdict:  Turkey win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet