Following a superb start to life under new management in midweek, Turkey are within touching distance of qualifying for Euro 2024 as they prepare to host Latvia on Sunday.

The two nations meet in Konya after upsetting the odds to claim victory on Thursday, and Vincenzo Montella's side could need just one point to secure their place at next year's finals.

Match preview

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Group D's top two met in Osijek on Thursday evening, as Croatia hosted Turkey, with the teams locked together on 10 points apiece.

The home side had never previously lost a European qualifier played on Croatian soil and had won 2-0 in Turkey earlier this year, so former Adana Demirspor coach Vincenzo Montella was not expected to start his international management career with a win.

Soon after replacing Stefan Kuntz in the hotseat, Montella was able to affect an immediate change in fortunes for the Crescent-Stars, who had most recently drawn 1-1 with Armenia in Euro 2024 qualifying and then lost 4-2 to Japan in a friendly.

Baris Alper Yilmaz capitalised on an error by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to score the game's only goal with half-an-hour on the clock, and after Turkey doggedly held on to their lead they moved clear at the top of Group D with 13 points from six matches - three ahead of Croatia, who still have a game in hand.

Having missed out on the last five World Cups and barely made an impact on the Euros since a superb run to the semis in 2008, Montella's team are aiming to put Turkish football back on the map, and the talent at his disposal suggests that could be possible next summer.

However, they must first finish the job of qualification, and if other results go their way, even a draw against lowly Latvia could seal the deal this weekend.

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Although they start Sunday's game as clear outsiders, Latvia only lost June's reverse fixture in dramatic circumstances, deep into stoppage time.

Despite equalising in the 94th minute through captain Kristers Tobers, the Wolves still contrived to lose 3-2 in Riga, as Irfan Kahveci struck back seconds later to snatch all three points for Turkey.

Two further losses last month then left Latvia cut adrift at the bottom of the Group D table, but they finally picked up their first points of the process on Thursday evening, when meeting Armenia in both nations' sixth fixture.

Coach Dainis Kazakevics, who stepped up to the senior squad in 2020 after leading the Under-21s for several years, steered his side to an impressive victory over a team still in the mix for a top-two finish.

Despite Marcis Oss being sent off shortly after half time, goals from Janis Ikaunieks and Daniels Balodis either side of the break were enough to get Latvia over the line; boosting confidence in the camp ahead of two tough final fixtures.

After visiting Konya this week, the little Baltic nation - who reached their only European Championship finals nearly 20 years ago - will conclude another unsuccessful qualifying campaign at home to Croatia next month.

Team News

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While he may be hesitant to change a winning team, Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella will have Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral back from a ban on Sunday, so could reinstate one of the Crescent-Stars mainstays.

Hakan Calhanoglu captains the side from central midfield, with Trabzonspor's Ugurcan Cakir set to start in goal ahead of Manchester United reserve Altay Bayindir.

Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler is sidelined following knee surgery and Cengiz Under has not been selected, so after linking up well with clubmate Baris Alper Yilmaz in midweek, Galatasaray's Kerem Akturkoglu should again provide creativity out wide. Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz made his senior debut in Croatia and could feature from the bench.

While Latvia will welcome captain Kristers Tobers back from suspension and should see the 22-year-old slot back into midfield, Marcis Oss must now serve a ban having been sent off against Armenia.

Kaspars Dubra is therefore set to be drafted into the visitors' defence, but it remains to be seen if Antonijs Cernomordijs can play any part after missing Thursday's win due to injury.

Left-back Raivis Jurkovskis and first-choice striker Vladislavs Gutkovskis are also out of action this week; the latter's absence means Cambuur striker Roberts Uldrikis starts up front.

Turkey possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Demiral, Ozkacar; Yuksek; Kahveci, Kokcu, Calhanoglu, Akturkoglu; Yilmaz

Latvia possible starting lineup:
Ozols; Savalnieks, Balodis, Dubra, Sorokins; Emsis, Tobers; Jaunzems, J. Ikaunieks, D. Ikaunieks; Uldrikis

We say: Turkey 3-1 Latvia

After such an excellent result in Croatia, expectations will be raised even higher in Turkey this weekend, when the Crescent-Stars should book their ticket to Germany with a win. New coach Vincenzo Montella has built up a lot of good will already, so will be keen to retain it by securing a spot at Euro 2024 at the first opportunity.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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