Turkey and Montenegro are set to face off in the third round of the UEFA Nations League at the Samsun 19 Mayıs Stadium on 11th October 2024. Turkey will be looking to build on their strong form after a 3-1 victory over Iceland, while Montenegro will aim to recover from back-to-back defeats against Iceland and Wales.
Turkey's Recent Form
Turkey comes into this match on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Iceland. Their attacking approach was particularly notable, with Benfica forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu stealing the show by scoring a hat-trick.
This victory will give the Turkish side confidence, as they look to continue their momentum in this important Nations League fixture.
Injury and Team News
Turkey have been boosted by the return of some key players. Atakan Karazor has received his first call-up, while forward Ahmed Kutucu has been recalled to the squad. Inter Milan’s midfield maestro Hakan Çalhanoğlu is also available, adding creativity and experience to the team.
Montenegro, on the other hand, have suffered some setbacks, with their defensive stalwart, Atlético Madrid’s Stefan Savić, ruled out due to injury. This will be a major blow for the Montenegrins, who are looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Last Turkey Lineup
Here is how Turkey lined up for their last match against Iceland:
GK: Altay Bayındır
DF: Zeki Çelik, Çağlar Söyüncü, Merih Demiral, Eren Elmalı
MF: Orkun Kökçü, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Salih Özcan
FW: Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Ahmed Kutucu, Cengiz Ünder
Montenegro's Recent Form
Montenegro’s campaign has gotten off to a rocky start, with losses to both Iceland and Wales. Their defence has struggled without Savić, and they have been unable to find consistency in attack.
Injury and Team News
As mentioned, Montenegro will be without Stefan Savić, which leaves their defence vulnerable.
They will need a strong performance from the likes of Stevan Jovetić and Fatos Bećiraj to compensate for their defensive frailties.
Last Montenegro Lineup
Montenegro’s last lineup against Wales was as follows:
GK: Matija Šarkić
DF: Marko Vukčević, Nikola Vukčević, Zarko Tomašević, Risto Radunović
MF: Marko Janković, Vukan Savićević, Nebojša Kosović
FW: Stevan Jovetić, Fatos Bećiraj, Uroš Đurđević
Turkey Player to Watch
Kerem Aktürkoğlu will be Turkey’s key player in this match. After his hat-trick against Iceland, he will be brimming with confidence and will look to exploit Montenegro’s weakened defence.
Montenegro Player to Watch
Stevan Jovetić remains Montenegro’s most important player. The former Manchester City forward will need to step up if his team is to have any chance of breaking Turkey’s defence.
Prediction
Given Turkey’s form and Montenegro’s injury woes, a home win seems the likely outcome. Turkey’s attacking firepower and Montenegro’s defensive struggles should result in a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
Betting Tips
Tip 1
Turkey to Win – Given their strong recent form, a home win offers good value.
Tip 2
Both Teams to Score – With Montenegro capable of finding the net, this could be a smart bet.
Tip 3
Over 2.5 Goals – With Turkey’s attacking style, this match could see multiple goals.
