Turkey is under pressure to win
This is how quickly the tide can turn for Stefan Kuntz & Co. A week ago, the Turkish national team had its back to the wall and had only minimal chances of making it to the World Cup. Because the Scandinavians failed to score three points before the showdown against Norway and Holland also missed out on a win, Turkey now even has a chance of winning the group.
Even if the points are shared, the Turkish national team can still defend second place with the help of firing squad. In order to defend this place on their own, however, the “Ay-Yildizlilar” are under pressure to win at their Montenegrin group rivals. Although Montenegro have already thwarted Holland recently, the best bookmakers see Turkey as comparatively clear favourites.
Meanwhile, odds of only 1.68 are offered for an away win for Montenegro vs Turkey. Stefan Kuntz’s side made a positive impression in the must-win game against Gibraltar, but the result against the dwarf state should not be overrated. Turkey still remains a surprise bag under Kuntz.
The two nations shared points in the first leg. In the process, the Turkish national team squandered a two-goal lead. It was only in the last minute of stoppage time that they conceded the goal that ultimately led to a draw between Turkey and Montenegro.
Montenegro – Statistics & current form
Even before the current international break, it was clear that the Montenegrins would not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, as the last match against Holland showed, Montenegro is by no means a points supplier for the other group rivals. The Balkan team caused a big surprise with a draw against the Dutch.
On the last matchday, there will be a three-way battle for the two World Cup places in Group G, with second place only guaranteeing participation in the play-offs. At the end of the international break, Montenegro will receive the guests from Turkey in Podgorica. The team of national coach Miodrag Radulovic already scored a surprise coup against their upcoming opponents in the first half of the season.
The Falcons earned a well-deserved point away from home against Turkey. As in the recent group match with Holland, Montenegro equalised against the Turkish national team after trailing by two goals at one stage.
Will the first home win since March 2021 beckon?
In this calendar year, Montenegro have celebrated only one win in five international matches at home. That success came at home against Gibraltar. Surprisingly, the Balkan team even conceded a goal against the dwarf state.
Since then, Montenegro have been winless in their own stadium four times in a row. Before the draw against Holland, the Montenegrins held Latvia to a goalless draw. The Falcons also suffered defeats against Israel (1:3) and Norway (0:1).
During the current international break, national coach Radulovic will be missing several key players. The absence of Stevan Jovetic is particularly serious. After all, the 32-year-old striker is the most prolific player in the Montenegrin ranks. With 31 goals in 62 appearances, Jovetic is even the Montenegrin national team’s record goalscorer.
Predicted line-up of Montenegro:
Sarkic; Vukcevic, Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic, Radunovic; Vujnovic, Jankovic, Haksabanovic, Osmajic; Durdevic
Last matches played by Montenegro:
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. G
11/13 2021 – Montenegro 2 – 2 Netherlands
10/11 2021 – Norway 2 – 0 Montenegro
10/08 2021 – Gibraltar 0 – 3 Montenegro
09/07 2021 – Montenegro 0 – 0 Latvia
09/04 2021 – Netherlands 4 – 0 Montenegro
Turkey – Statistics & current form
Turkey go into the last group match of the current 2022 World Cup qualification with a broad chest. Because Norway and Holland did not score three times on the last matchday, the “Ay-Yildizlilar” even have the chance to win the group in case of success over Montenegro. To do so, however, the Turkish national team must also hope for support from Norway.
For the time being, therefore, they have to do their own homework. Under Stefan Kuntz, Turkey has won two out of three international matches so far. Only against Norway did Kuntz & Co. draw a point. If the former national coach of Germany’s U21 team can now secure a third win in a row for the red and white team, odds of 1.68 for tip 2 are paid out for Montenegro vs. Turkey.
Turkey have never lost an international match against the Montenegrins. In three games, there have been two draws and one win for the Turkish national team. Most recently, the four-goal mark between the two nations was broken twice in a row. It is quite possible that an offensive spectacle will also follow in the group final of the current World Cup qualifier.
Turkey have warmed up
Turkey have already warmed up for their crucial away game in the Balkans with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar. The youngsters were particularly convincing in their performance against the dwarf state. Halil Dervisoglu, now under contract with Galatasaray Istanbul, even scored twice before the end of the second half.
However, the 21-year-old failed to score a hat-trick. After his strong performance against Gibraltar, it is nevertheless obvious that the youngster will also be set against Montenegro. Big changes compared to the last starting eleven are not to be expected anyway. After all, Turkey started the compulsory task against the dwarf state with its best line-up.
Kuntz will only have to do without Mert Müldür against the Montenegrins. The right-back received a yellow card after coming on as a substitute against Gibraltar and will therefore not be available for the away game in Podgorica.
Predicted line-up of Turkey:
Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Söyüncü, Erkin; Kökcü, Calhanoglu; Karaman, Dervisoglu, Aktürkoglu; Burak Yilmaz
Last matches played by Turkey:
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. G
11/13 2021 – Turkey 6 – 0 Gibraltar
10/11 2021 – Latvia 1 – 2 Turkey
10/08 2021 – Turkey 1 – 1 Norway
09/07 2021 – Netherlands 6 – 1 Turkey
09/04 2021 – Gibraltar 0 – 3 Turkey
Montenegro – Turkey Direct comparison / H2H-Balance
These two nations have met three times so far. Turkey celebrated a narrow victory over the Montenegrins in their first meeting more than five years ago. This was followed by two consecutive draws, two of which between Montenegro vs Turkey also paid off with a prediction of Over 3.5 goals in the match.
Montenegro vs Turkey Tip
The match against Turkey has no special significance for Montenegro. It therefore remains to be seen whether the Balkan players will build on their strong performance against Holland or merely act as purveyors of points against the “Ay-Yildizlilar”. The Turkish national team has been tasting blood lately after the narrow victory over Latvia and the recent sweeping win against Gibraltar.
In the best possible scenario, the Red and Whites could even clinch a direct World Cup starting spot in the group final against Montenegro and thus avoid the play-offs. For that to happen, however, Turkey will not only have to win the away game on the Balkan peninsula, but will also be dependent on some help from Norway.
Turkey squandered a two-goal lead against Montenegro in the first leg. If the recent form curve under Kuntz continues, we think a win for the Turkish national team is close this time. With a stake of six units, we place our bet on Montenegro vs Turkey at good odds on the visitors.
