Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Nations League clash between Luxembourg and Turkey, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Luxembourg and Turkey will see their 100% UEFA Nations League Records are at stake when they meet at the Stade de Luxembourg on Saturday night.
Both sides have won each of their two opening games in the 2022 competition, while not conceding a goal so far.
game preview
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It was a perfect and perhaps unexpected start for Luxembourg in their Nations League campaign so far.
After impressively coming within three points of promotion from Group C1 in 2020, Saturday’s hosts have made a good start two years later in the same group.
An impressive 2-0 away win in Lithuania on 4 June was followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win in the Faroe Islands on Tuesday night Luke HoltzTurkey’s side keep the pressure on group favorites Turkey.
Luxembourg deserved their win midweek after playing better football and creating more chances in front of goal, but they were certainly provided with a helping hand or two along the way to victory.
Their hosts were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half courtesy of Rene Shaki JoensenRed card before Luxembourg Gerson Rodrigues converted from the penalty spot just seven minutes later.
Solvi Vatnhamar then saw red with 10 minutes remaining to reduce the Faroe Islands to nine men in the closing stages, allowing Luxembourg to saunter to a relatively comfortable win in the end.
However, a much tougher test against big favorites Turkey lies ahead on Saturday, but Holtz’s men are sure to make their first home return of the 2022 season and will look to use that to their advantage as they aim for a shock result when they go out go field.
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While Luxembourg achieved two excellent results to unexpectedly start Group C1 with a 100% record, Turkey did the same but with a lot of expectation on their shoulders.
The disappointing last 12 months, in which Turkey were relegated from Group B3 of the 2020 Nations League and disappointed their ‘dark horses’ at Euro 2020 to prematurely come home from Group A without a single point, has been brushed aside for now Being.
However, a heartbreaking loss to Portugal in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers play-offs ended their dream of traveling to Qatar later in the year Stephen KunzThe side of has tried to usher in a better era by getting promoted back to League B in the Nations League.
So far, comprehensive 4-0 and 6-0 victories over the Faroe Islands and Lithuania have enabled the visitors to live up to their claim to be the favorites for promotion from today’s perspective.
However, Kuntz will be keen to avoid any complacency in his side’s play this weekend and beyond, as the trip to Luxembourg might not look difficult on paper but certainly carries the potential for a Matchday 3 slip-up.
This match also has history when it comes to shocks, as Luxembourg were victorious on home soil in 1972 during a qualifier for the 1974 World Cup.
However, Turkey have responded by winning the five following encounters and they will look to record another comprehensive win on Saturday to further extend that run and also take a commanding lead at the top of Group C1.
Form of the Luxembourg Nations League:
Luxembourg form (all competitions):
Form of the Turkish Nations League:
Turkey form (all competitions):
Team News
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Despite being eliminated midweek with a knock in the closing stages, Matthew Olesen should be ready for Luxembourg again on Saturday.
Should Olesen be available, little if any changes are expected from the hosts so far after their impressive performances on the opening two days.
Norwich City striker Daniel Sinaniwho spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Huddersfield Town will again be the man to watch alongside Rodrigues after the pair have scored all three of their country’s goals so far this season.
As for the visitors, Kuntz is likely to change sides again on Saturday after making six changes for the smashing 6-0 win against Lithuania midweek.
Leicester City’s Caglar Soyuncuand Atalantas Merih Demiralare expected to return at the heart of the defense after being rested on Tuesday.
Zeki Celik, Ugurkan cakir and Dorukhan Tokoz are among those pushing for starts for Turkey as well.
Luxembourg possible starting line-up:
Moris; Martins, Chanot, Carlson, Pinto; Barreiro, Pereira, Olesen; Sinani, Rodrigues, Sanches
Turkey possible starting line-up:
kakir; Celik, Demiral, Soyuncu, Kadioglu; Tokoz, Calhanoglu; Unter, Dervisoglu, Sinik; Dursun
We say: Luxembourg 0-2 Turkey
Although Luxembourg have had such an excellent start to the Nations League so far, they are unlikely to secure a third positive result when Turkey host on Saturday.
The improvement in quality compared to their recent opponents should be too much for the hosts and if Turkey can produce another comprehensive performance they should saunter to a comfortable win here.
For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.
top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com predict under 3.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their football best tips.Under 3.5:Data