Euro 2020: Turkey to Turn the Heat Up on Icemen

Turkey vs Iceland

Group H is about to come to a thrilling climax in the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers, and the big match is a head–to-head in Istanbul, where Turkey takes on Iceland.

These may be two of Europe’s lesser lights, but no team in the world would take either for granted. Both Turkey and Iceland have a habit of upsetting more illustrious opponents, and both will be desperate to make it to the Euro 2020 finals.

Senol Gunes’ Turkey is in the box seat and a draw will be enough to send them through, but while Erik Hamren’s Iceland still have a mathematical chance, the Vikings will fight to the death.

Neither team would be at the top end of the Euro 2020 betting odds, should they qualify. But both would add passion and no little quality to the European showcase.

And we’ll se that in abundance at the Turk Telecom Stadium in Istanbul.

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Talking Points

Turks have the momentum

Turkey are joint top of Group H, locked on 19 points with France, having taken advantage of a depleted team when they faced Les Bleus in October, snatching a crucial point thanks to an 85^th minute goal from substitute Kaan Ayhan. That was one of the surprise Euro 2020 results of the campaign so far and one which will inspire the Turkey fans to turn up the heat on their opponents on Thursday.

Having missed out on a place at Russia 2018, Gunes’ team needs just one point to qualify so they won’t take any risks against the Icemen who are desperate for a win.

Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu is a key man as an attacking midfielder for both the Rossoneri and his national side. For his club side he often plays as a winger, but for Turkey he is preferred in the middle of the park. He has ten goals in 45 games for Turkey and Gunes will be delighted the German born player opted to represent his nation.

A draw will be fine for Turkey, and they are more than capable of achieving that with an impressive defensive record; their six wins so far in Group H have been to nil.

Iceland have the psychology

Iceland have 15 points in the bag and may just be able to upset the applecart with a win in Istanbul. A narrow home defeat to France put their hopes of making the top two in jeopardy, but the real killer came in Albania where they went down 4-2 to a team they might have expected to beat

There will be no room for Iceland for their remaining fixtures to qualify in Euro 2020 — Iceland players in training for Euro 2020

The Icemen do need a couple of shocks to arise elsewhere, with help from Andorra and Moldova but, either way, they still have a chance of reaching the finals through the play-off route. In their favour they have already beaten Turkey 2-1, thanks to two goals from Rostov defender Ragnar Sigurdsson.

Everton boys are match-winners

Premier League fans, particularly from the North West of England, can look forward to seeing two Everton players on opposite sides, and either could easily turn out to be a match-winner. Turkey striker Cenk Tosun has 16 goals from 42 international appearances, and has been in fine form in the qualifiers with five goals from six.

Midfield man Gylfi Sigurdsson has been Iceland’s creative force over the last three years, with superb distribution and a world class dead ball delivery. He hasn’t been at his best in the early part of the domestic season but his quality is undoubted, and he has bagged 21 goals in 72 appearances during Iceland’s most successful period in history.

The Toffees have made a poor start to the Premier League season and have hovered around the relegation zone, but an away win over Southampton has lifted them to 13^th in the table, and nearer in points to a European spot than a bottom three place.

Both Tosun and Sigurdsson starred in that win and they could well play a big part on Thursday.

History

Iceland were Euro 2016 quarter-finalists, losing out to France, but that after beating England in the Round of 16, and Turkey were Euro semi-finalists in 2008, so both have very fond memories of this tournament.

The head to heads should give the visitors some confidence, in 12 games they have won eight to Turkey’s two and there have been two draws. Iceland have won the last three, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.

But Turkey’s recent form is compelling. They are unbeaten in four, and in seven at home, winning eight of their last ten matches in total.

Betting Tip

	Turkey vs Iceland	Under 2.25 @ 2.06
	November 15, 01:00 (GMT+8)

The latest SBOBET odds point to a home win with Turkey at 1.78 to win, while Iceland is at 3.60, as is the draw.

I think it will be a cagey game in a hostile atmosphere and scoring would be an achievement in itself for the visitors. A draw is perfectly okay for Turkey and I think they’ll get it, but if you fancy an Iceland 0-1 smash and grab, then the odds are 11.00.