Seeking to strengthen their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, Belgium travel to Gursel Aksel Stadium in Izmir to face Turkey on Thursday evening.
The visitors sit third in League A Group 1 with six points from their opening four matches, one behind Italy and four adrift of leaders France, while the hosts are bottom of the group without a point after losing all four of their opening matches.
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Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Turkey vs. Belgium key stats
- Turkey have lost all four of their Nations League matches this season, scoring twice and conceding 11 goals.
- Belgium have won two and lost two of their opening four Group 1 fixtures, collecting six points.
- Belgium beat Turkey 3-0 in the reverse fixture on October 2.
- Turkey have won just one of the last six meetings between both sides (D3, L2).
Turkey vs. Belgium preview: Can the visitors take another step towards the quarter-finals?
Turkey vs Belgium — Tale of the Tape
| Turkey | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Position | 3rd |
| 0 | Points | 6 |
| 2 | Goals For | 6 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 4th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 3rd (A) |
Turkey are beginning a new era under Sergen Yalcin, who was appointed following the departure of Vincenzo Montella.
The former Besiktas manager has inherited a difficult situation, with the Crescent-Stars losing all four of their Nations League fixtures by an aggregate score of 11-2.
Their campaign began with a 1-0 home defeat against France before they were beaten 4-1 by Italy.
A 3-0 loss away to Belgium followed, and they then suffered another 3-1 defeat against Italy, leaving them without a point and with a significant defensive problem to address.
Turkey have conceded at least three goals in three of their four Nations League matches, and their inability to contain quality attacking players has been a recurring issue.
There is, however, some encouragement to be found in their home record against Belgium, having avoided defeat in their last three meetings with the Red Devils on home soil, including a 3-2 victory in a Euro 2012 qualifier.
They also won four consecutive home matches before suffering defeats against France and Italy in this Nations League campaign.
Turkey remain without Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz, who is continuing his recovery from a metatarsal fracture.
Centre-back Abdulkerim Bardakci is suspended after receiving a red card in the previous meeting with Belgium, while Kerem Akturkoglu, Irfan Kahveci, Samet Akaydin and Altay Bayindir are among the players left out of the latest squad after being involved in the previous international window.
Belgium head into Thursday's fixture knowing that another defeat could leave their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals hanging by a thread.
Mark van Bommel's side made a positive start to their campaign, beating Italy 2-0 away from home before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against France.
The Red Devils responded by defeating Turkey 3-0 in their previous meeting, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku also getting on the scoresheet. T
However, they were unable to build on that result, suffering a 4-1 defeat away to France in their most recent outing.
That loss was a setback for Belgium, who had looked capable of challenging for the top two positions before the October international break.
They remain third with six points, but Italy are only one point ahead, meaning a victory in Izmir would keep the pressure on the Azzurri ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Belgium can also take encouragement from their recent record against Turkey, having lost only one of their last six meetings across all competitions, winning 3-0 in their last meeting back in October.
Belgium will be without Thibaut Courtois, who continues his break from international duty, while Koni De Winter declined a call-up after expressing dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time during the previous international window.
Turkey vs. Belgium form guide & betting tips
| Turkey | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
WLLLL |
Form | LWLWL |
| 5 | Goals For | 7 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 7 |
LLLL |
UEFA Nations League | WLWL |
Whispers predicts: Turkey 1-2 Belgium
The visitors have won two of their four group matches and already defeated Turkey 3-0 in October. Their superior attacking options give them the advantage, making Belgium win at 1.87 (87/100) a solid pick.
Turkey have conceded 11 goals in four Nations League matches, while Belgium have enough attacking quality to take advantage of their defensive problems, making over 2.5 goals at 1.50 (1/2) and both teams to score at 1.48 (12/25) great options.
> Both teams to score at 1.48 (12/25) | Likelihood: High
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.50 (1/2) | Likelihood: High
> Belgium win at 1.87 (87/100) | Likelihood: Medium
> Correct score: Turkey 1-2 Belgium at 6.20 (26/5) | Likelihood: Low
UEFA Nations League A 02/10/26
Belgium
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