Russia have made the perfect start to life in League B Group 3 of the Nations League. Sunday’s hosts secured wins against Hungary and Serbia in the opening two matches of what could have been a potentially tricky group.
Now the Russians look odds of to qualify from their group but can’t afford to rest on their laurels.
Штанга - друг вратаря 👊 pic.twitter.com/Qq7THf6wY2— Сборная России (@TeamRussia) October 7, 2020
Штанга - друг вратаря 👊 pic.twitter.com/Qq7THf6wY2
The home side have an excellent record against Turkey, winning four and drawing two of their six previous encounters. The fact that Russia have never lost against Sunday’s guests will aid their attempts of maintaining their 100% record in Group 3. Russia played Turkey three times in 20018 and picked up two wins and a draw.
Games between these two nations are always close and competitive, with no more than a 2-goal margin ever separating the pair. Russia have kept four clean sheets in their six meetings with Turkey, including their last match, which ended 2-0.
The hosts have only lost one of their last 11 international matches in all competitions and are in good form heading into this weekends’ fixture.
Russia are without the services of Smolov, Miranchuk, Yerokhin, and Golovin due to injury. Captain Dzyuba will lead the line in a mostly home-based squad that features just three players that ply their trade outside of Russia. Defender Kudryashov plays for the Turkish side Antalyaspor and will no doubt have given his input on the opposition’s players.
Turkey head into this match on the back of a creditable 3-3 draw with Germany, but their failure to score in their opening two group games of the Nations League is cause for concern. The Turks have only won one of their last six international matches and often seem to struggle to create chances or finish them off.
The aging Burak Yilmaz could lead the line on Sunday in the absence of Everton striker Cenk Tosun who is injured. Hakan Calhanoglu provides the creativity as well as goals from midfield, while Leicester’s Caglar Scyuncu forms part of the visitor’s backline. Cengiz Under is on-loan at Leicester from Roma and is considered one of the bright prospects of Turkish football.
Turkey have struggled to score against Russia in the past and without Tosun up-front, that could well be the case again. Russia are in with a great chance of keeping a clean sheet and maintaining their 100% record in Group 3.
Forebet can’t see this game ending in anything but a home win for Russia. The hosts have form in their favour as well as a higher quality squad.