It’s time for even more action in UEFA Euro 2016, with two darks horses from Group D in Turkey and Croatia set to duke it out this Sunday in beautiful Paris.
Both teams are entering the Euros in prime shape, but who will make a better first impression in the tournament: the Turks, or the Croatians? Let’s find out below.
After missing out on the 2012 edition of the UEFA Euro tournament, Turkey is back with a vengeance.
The Crescent Stars have benefited greatly from the stellar play of their goalie in Volkan Babacan, who has allowed no more than one goal in 15 of his team’s last 16 games. In turn, the Turks have also won 11 of their last 14 contests and have suffered just one loss in 16 outings overall.
One concern for head coach Fatih Terim, however, is how much mileage he’ll get out of his star striker in Burak Yilmaz, who is just returning from an injury. But even with Yilmaz likely seeing a decrease in his minutes, his backup in Cenk Tosun (two goals in a recent friendly victory over Sweden) can provide some offense just as well.
In addition, Turkey still boasts of a wicked one-two punch in Arda Turan and Oguzhan Ozyakup. Turan has 90 caps and 19 goals throughout his stint with the national team, while Ozyakup is a fantastic anchor in midfield capable of dictating Croatia’s tempo this Sunday.
Not to be outdone by Turkey, Croatia’s national football club is just as hot entering the Euros.
The Vatreni have won six of their last seven contests, and have suffered just one defeat in their last 13 games. And unlike the Turks, they have won their games by finding the back of the net quick and often. The Croatians have scored a first-half goal in six of their last seven, and are also favored by the oddsmakers to score the first goal of Sunday’s match with a price of -138.
But that goes without saying that goalkeeper Danijel Subasic has really been in great form. In fact, Subasic has only allowed two goals during that same, solid seven-game span.
Then again, Croatia’s wealth in firepower should be enough for the team to put up points in a hurry and not leave the team’s fate entirely in their netminder’s hands. Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, and Ivans Rakitic and Perisic are just four threats from Vatreni’s deep starting lineup.
Lastly, Croatia has won two of the last three meetings against Turkey in the Euros, with the latest being a 3-0 blowout in the 2012 play-offs. That being said, it’s rather clear that the boys from Central Europe do appear to have the slight edge over The Crescent Stars heading into Sunday’s showdown.
Writer’s Prediction
Croatia (+208) ekes out a 2-1 victory over Turkey.
