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Kosovo will look to make history on Tuesday, 31 March, when they take on Turkey for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The hosts have never previously qualified for a World Cup, but now stand just one win away following a dramatic 4-3 victory in Slovakia on Thursday night.
As for Turkey, their journey to this one-off playoff tie was slightly more straightforward, coming through a home clash with Romania courtesy of a goal from Ferdi Kadioglu.
Before taking a look at the rest of today's betting tips, check out our Kosovo vs Turkey prediction below.
Contents
Kosovo vs Turkey key stats
- Turkey have won four of their last five competitive matches.
- Kosovo have lost all three of their previous meetings with Turkey.
- More than two goals have been scored in five of Turkey's last seven matches.
Kosovo vs Turkey preview: Experience to prevail
| Kosovo | vs | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| 78th | FIFA ranking | 24th |
| Mergim Vojvoda (72) | Most caps | Hakan Calhanoglu (103) |
| Vedat Muriqi (32) | Most goals | Hakan Calhanoglu (22) |
| 647 | Total caps | 865 |
| 81 | Total goals | 88 |
| 0 | Uncapped players | 2 |
When Kosovo became an independent state in 2008, the idea of them competing in a FIFA World Cup finals fewer than 20 years later would have been nothing more than a fantasy.
However, this is where they now find themselves, and with their home support behind them, there will be a belief that they can get the job done.
In truth, Franco Foda's side didn't do an awful lot wrong in their qualifying group. They ultimately finished as runners-up to Switzerland but only lost one of their six matches and haven't lost on home soil in more than 18 months.
Turkey have lost just two competitive matches since Euro 2024.
Given his side's heroics on Thursday night in Slovakia, Foda will surely be tempted to field the exact same starting XI here, particularly as they have suffered no fresh injuries from that encounter.
As for Turkey, the task of becoming the first team to down Kosovo in Kosovo since September 2024 is one they will likely relish.
While they have competed at World Cups before, no one from this current group has, as their last involvement was back in 2002, when they upset all odds to finish in third place.
Turkey have each of their three previous meetings with Kosovo.
The current crop is led by Vincenzo Montella, who will be quietly confident of his side's chances after their performances over the last six months. Their only loss during their qualification campaign was against European Champions and the favourites for the World Cup, Spain.
Unlike his opposite number, Montella does have a potential injury concern for this one, after captain Hakan Calhanoglu hobbled off in the latter stages of the victory over Romania.
Kosovo vs Turkey form guide & betting tips
| Kosovo | vs | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| D-W-W-D-W | Form | W-W-W-D-W |
| 8 | Goals For | 15 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
| W-D-W | World Cup qualifying form | W-D-W |
Whispers predicts: Kosovo 1-2 Turkey
Of Turkey's last nine competitive outings, they have only lost one, and that was to Spain, and unfortunately for Kosovo, they are not Spain. Turkey to win at 17/20 represents brilliant value.
If the match goes anything like Kosovo's match on Thursday night, then we are in for a goalfest. Over 2.5 goals may seem like we're erring on the side of caution, but at 9/10, there is no need to push it.
Arda Guler is so often the star of the show for Turkey, and he is priced at 21/10 to score anytime against Kosovo.
> Anytime goalscorer - Arda Guler at 21/10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Result - Turkey to win at 17/20 | Likelihood: Probable
> Total goals - Over 2.5 goals at 9/10 | Likelihood: Probable