Georgia will play host to Turkey in their opening game in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Thursday evening. The other teams in the qualifying group include Bulgaria and reigning European champions Spain, with the latter the favourites to finish at the top of the table.
Georgia are bidding to try and qualify for their first World Cup in their history, after qualifying for their first UEFA European Championships in 2024. Meanwhile, Turkey will be hoping to qualify ahead of their opponents overall, with Spain the most likely to take the other qualifying spot.
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Key stats
- Georgia are unbeaten in four games in total in all competitions, winning three of them.
- Turkey have also won three of their previous four matches across all competitions.
- Four of the last five H2Hs in all competitions have seen both teams score.
Correct score prediction: Georgia 2-2 Turkey
As has been the case in the most recent H2Hs, we are expecting plenty of goals in this clash. Both teams are in good form, and so will fancy themselves to take at least a point, which would represent a decent start to qualifying.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Turkey trusted by bookmakers
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Turkey has been installed as the favourites with bookmakers to take home all three points. Georgia can be backed at just under 35% to win on home soil, while a draw is rated at just under 28%.
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Most recent H2Hs: Turkey have upper hand
Turkey have won three of the last four H2Hs in total in all competitions. There have been plenty of goals scored for both teams in those meetings, with 16 netted in total at an average of four per match.
Euro 2024 18/06/24
Turkey
Georgia
Georgia preview: No fresh concerns
At the time of writing, Georgia have reported no fresh concerns in the squad since it was picked for their upcoming qualifiers. Thus, the hosts are expected to name a strong starting XI here.
Predicted lineup: Mamardashvili (GK); Azarovi, Kashia, Goglichidze, Lochoshvili, Kocharashvili, Mekvabishvili; Lominadze, Kiteishvili, Kvaratskhelia & Mikautadze
Last five results:
- Georgia 1-1 Cape Verde
- Georgia 1-0 Faroe Islands
- Georgia 6-1 Armenia
- Armenia 0-3 Georgia
- Spain 4-1 Georgia
Turkey preview: Yilmaz a major doubt
Baris Alper Yilmaz is a major doubt for Turkey due to personal reasons. Otherwise, the visitors should be expected to name a strong starting XI for this one.
Predicted lineup: Cakir (GK); Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Elmali; Yuksek, Calhanoglu, Aydin, Guler, Yildiz & Akturkoglu
Last five results:
- Mexico 1-0 Turkey
- USA 1-2 Turkey
- Hungary 0-3 Turkey
- Turkey 3-1 Hungary
- Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
Player to watch: Kerem Akturkoglu
Kerem Akturkoglu scored a total of five goals in the UNL for Turkey, showing how important he is to the team. The attacker will have to be kept quiet by Georgia if they want to have a better chance of taking home what could be a crucial three points in their race to qualify for the World Cup.