The Dardanians Are Aiming To Qualify For Their First World Cup; The Crescent-Stars Haven’t Reached The Finals Since 2002
Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri | World Cup play-off final | Tuesday March 31 | 7:45pm
With a place in the World Cup on the line, BetVictor News brings you the Kosovo vs Turkey preview, prediction, H2H record, betting angles and more.
Kosovo Vs Turkey Preview
Kosovo are certainly the surprise package of the European qualifying campaign and are just 90 minutes away from creating history. Not only does a victory in Pristina guarantee a place in their maiden major tournament, they would be the youngest nation to qualify for the World Cup.
Kosovo only officially joined UEFA and FIFA in 2016 so the meteoric rise has been hugely impressive. And although the Kosovo vs Turkey odds favour the visitors, Franco Foda’s side will strongly fancy their chances.
Even more so as they are unbeaten on home soil in the last eight internationals. With that in mind, supporters will be brimming with confidence and excitement ahead of the biggest football match in the country’s short history.
As for the Turks, they head into the tie with a strong belief they can get the job done. With the likes of Juventus poster boy Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid sensation Arda Guler, they will certainly pose a threat. As Romania found out in the semi-final.
Guler provided the assist for Ferdi Kadioglu’s winner in the 1-0 victory. The Crescent-Stars could and should have won by more owing to their overwhelming possession and large number of attempts on goal.
Nonetheless, Vincenzo Montella’s side will believe they can get the job done at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri. If they do progress, they would be considered a genuine dark horse when it comes to World Cup betting this summer. In their last appearance in 2002, Turkey finished third.
Kosovo Vs Turkey H2H Record
The Kosovo vs Turkey H2H record has one clear winner. In the three previous encounters, the Crescent-Stars have won all three by an aggregate score of 12-2. The first meeting was won 6-0 in a friendly back in the spring of 2014.
Two years later, Turkey recorded a 2-0 win in a 2018 World Cup qualifier before winning the reverse fixture 4-1. The two largest victories have come in Kosovo, which is something to consider ahead of the game.
- 11/06/2017 – Kosovo 1-4 Turkey
- 12/11/2016 – Turkey 2-0 Kosovo
- 21/05/2014 – Kosovo 1-6 Turkey
Kosovo Vs Turkey Team News
Kosovo are likely to start with the same XI who beat Slovakia 4-3 on March 26. Fisnik Asllani – who netted in Bratislava – is expected to lead the line alongside captain Vedat Muriqi. They will be supported by Mergim Vojvoda and Mergim Vojvoda on the wings.
Meanwhile, Turkey will be sweating on the fitness of Hakan Calhanoglu. The Inter Milan ace came off in the final minutes against Romania but other than that, Vincenzo Montella is set to stick with his trusted lineup who got the job done against the Eastern Europeans.
Kosovo Vs Turkey Predicted Lineups
Kosovo predicted lineup:
Muric; Vojvoda, Dellova, Hajrizi, Hajdari, Gallapeni; Hodza, Rexhbecaj, Muslija; Asllani, Muriqi
Turkey predicted lineup:
Cakir; Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Calhanoglu; Yilmaz, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Kosovo Vs Turkey Betting Angles
Key Match Stats
- Kosovo are unbeaten in their last eight home internationals
- Turkey have won all three H2H fixtures
- The Crescent-Stars will start as the match favourites
Top Betting Angles for Kosovo Vs Turkey
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Backing ‘Yes’ offers potential. Especially as Kosovo won 4-3 last time out and Turkey’s last five away games in WCQ’s have produced a goal in each half
- Over 2.5 Goals: Five of Kosovo’s last six have seen O 2.5 goals, for those feeling adventurous, then five of Turkey’s last seven matches have seen O 3.5.
- Corners market: Over 10.5 offers plenty of potential. Kosovo’s last game saw 11 taken with Turkey going one better against Romania. With so much at stake, it’s market worth giving some thought to.
Kosovo Vs Turkey Prediction
This could quite literally go either way. Kosovo have been strong on home soil and will really fancy their chances. However, Turkey have a number of attacking stars they can rely upon and should have enough about them to progress to this summer’s extravaganza.
Prediction: Kosovo 1-3 Turkey
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