Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Total Apex Sports & Entertainment
Turkey vs. Iceland: Preview
7 hours ago
Turkey will look for their first win of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League when they host Iceland in Izmir on Monday night. Turkey had a strong performance in Euro 2024, reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated by the Netherlands, and there is much to be hopeful about with their emerging talent.
Despite this, Vincenzo Montella’s squad could not find the net against Wales and faced additional frustration with Baris Alper Yilmaz’s red card. Previously in the 2022-23 Nations League, Turkey topped Group 1 in League C ahead of Luxembourg, Faroe Islands, and Lithuania, earning promotion to League B.
The Turkish team began their League B Group 4 campaign with a goalless draw against Wales on Friday. In contrast, Iceland secured a 2-0 victory over Montenegro, thanks to goals from Orri Oskarsson and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. Turkey will play against Montenegro and Iceland again in October and will be optimistic about their chances of topping the group based on their recent progress.
Historically, Turkey has faced Iceland 13 times, winning only twice, with Iceland remaining unbeaten in their last four encounters. Their most recent matchups were during Euro 2020 qualifiers, with Iceland winning 2-1 at home and the return match ending in a 0-0 draw.
Iceland did not qualify for Euro 2024 after a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine in the playoffs but secured a notable 1-0 victory over England in a friendly in early June. Under Age Hareide, Iceland started their 2024-25 Nations League campaign strongly with a 2-0 win over Montenegro, placing them at the top of Group 4 in League B with three points.
Team News
Turkey will need to adjust for the absence of Yilmaz, who is suspended after his red card against Wales. Arda Guler, who played as a false nine during Euro 2024, may fill that role, with Hakan Calhanoglu joining the squad. The rest of the lineup is expected to remain the same, with Montella likely to continue with a five-man defense and seek more from his wing-backs.
Hareide is not expected to make significant changes for Iceland after their impressive performance against Montenegro. Oskarsson, who scored his third international goal in the last game, will likely lead the attack, with Thorsteinsson also set to start. Birmingham City’s Alfons Sampsted is expected to feature at right-back.
Iceland is aiming for consecutive wins for the first time since January, and another victory would put them in a strong position for their October fixtures against Wales and Turkey.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0