Prediction: Wales vs Turkey

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

Getting their Nations League campaign underway on Friday night, Wales will welcome Turkey to Cardiff.

Wales

Starting with the hosts, getting a new era underway this summer following the appointment of Craig Bellamy, Wales will be desperate to make an early statement here. However, suffering EURO 24 qualifying heartbreak back on Match 26th as they suffered an infamous penalties defeat at the hands of Poland in Cardiff, the Dragons are drastically seeking some much-needed stability. Last seen during June’s international break putting in a nightmare performance as they fell to a 4-0 drumming away at Slovakia, the one-time Liverpool star will know the importance of finding a clinical edge in the final third. Including a sluggish 0-0 stalemate away at Gibraltar back on June 6th, Wales have drawn a blank in each of their previous three appearances on the bounce – their longest goalless draught since September 2021.

Team News

Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill has been called up to Wales’ senior squad for the first time and could make his international debut here. However, in what looks set to be a real blow for Bellamy’s new squad on Friday night, ex-Manchester United star Daniel James has withdrawn from the Dragons’ squad due to a hamstring injury.

Recently switching his international allegiance, Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow has been included in Wales’ squad and could start between the sticks in Cardiff. Despite plenty of speculation, Aaron Ramsey remains as the Dragons’ skipper and will earn an 85th cap this weekend.

Turkey

As for the visitors, although Turkey might have opened their EURO 24 adventure in the midst of a real struggle, the Crescent Stars gained plenty of plaudits. Despite eventually watching their European campaign come to an end at the quarter-final stage as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Holland, Vincenzo Montella’s men will take plenty of positives away from a successful summer over in Germany. However, although the former AC Milan boss might be smelling a potential opportunity when his squad travel to Cardiff on Friday night, Turkey are seeking some welcomed defensive resolve. Signing off their pre-EURO 24 preparations with a 2-1 loss against Poland, Montella’s side have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Eventually staying put with Inter Milan this summer following interest from German giants Bayern Munich, Hakan Calhanoglu will lead Turkey out on Friday night and earn a 91st international cap here. Despite making just a single La Liga start so far this season, 19-year-old Arda Guler has been included in Montella’s camp.

Already notching a pair of Super Lig strikes with Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray, Baris Yilmaz will lead Turkey’s attack in the final third. Appearing to have cemented his spot as Montella’s number-one choice, veteran goalkeeper Meet Gunok will start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Wales and Turkey last met back in November 2023, Friday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Cardiff.
• The Dragons have drawn a blank in each of their previous three appearances – their longest draught since September 2021.
• Turkey have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last six appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Wales have failed to record a single single clean sheet from any of their previous four appearances in Cardiff.
• Continuing on from their EURO 24 adventure, Turkey have seen seven of their previous eight matchups on foreign soil finish with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Getting a new era underway on Friday night, Wales will be hoping to get off to a flying start when they return to Cardiff. However, despite snatching a 1-1 stalemate when they welcomed Turkey to town 10 months ago, Bellamy’s squad could have tricky test on their hands. It should be highlighted, with the Crescent Stars seeing seven of their last eight matchups on foreign soil finish with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster