Turkey lost 3-0 to Italy in their opening game, having 3 shots, with none on target, just 36% possession, 2 corners and 2 yellow cards. Turkey came here as many peoples dark horses, and it remains to be seen whether they had a bad day and lost to a very good Italy side who will go deep at this Euros, or if they are just not as good as some people thought. Wales drew 1-1 with Switzerland which is a result they will not be too upset with. Wales had just 35% possession, taking 9 shots with 2 on target, and they took 4 corners and picked up 1 yellow card. Wales were on the backfoot for large portions of that game and escaping with a point can be looked at as a positive result.
Turkey come here knowing that defeat will likely mean they are going home. Wales know that with Italy still to play in their final game they need to pick up points here. It’s a very interesting game as Turkey will feel that a win here sets them up with a good chance of still qualifying for thee knock out stages as they have Switzerland left to play. They face a much different side here though, Italy were quite slow and methodical, breaking Turkey down at will. This Welsh side will rely on the pace of players like Dan James and Gareth Bale on the counter attack. I see Turkey having more possession as they will look to take control of the game and Wales will be quite happy to play on the counter.
The referee for this game is Artur Dias, this season he has taken charge of 29 games, awarding 135 yellow cards and 6 red cards, for an average of 4.66 yellow cards per game and 0.21 red cards per game. In his career so far he has refereed 141 games, giving 582 yellow cards and 24 red card, for an average of 4.13 yellow cards per game and 0.17 red cards per game.
I see this being a very close and tense game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the game finish a draw by a 1-1 score line, but I feel Turkeys situation of really needing a win to lead to both sides having opportunities to win the game, and i wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these sides pinch a 2-1 win, though I wouldn’t want to bank my life on who that will be.
