Euro 2016 qualifiers: Turkey tackle troubled Netherlands
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Everything is still to play for in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A but, as it stands, upcoming opponents Turkey and the Netherlands will be scrapping it out to finish in the third-place play-off place.
Surprise pool leaders Iceland have steamed ahead and second spot Czech Republic are not far behind, meaning this clash between Turkey and the Dutch (13/10 match favourites with Coral) could be crucial.
As hosts, the Crescent-Stars are 12/5 to take all three points, though odds of 23/10 for another draw between the two seem more realistic.
The Comeback Kings split the spoils with Clockwork Orange in their previous duel, dropping two points due to an agonising extra-time goal by Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. So, punters can back a tempting repeat of that 1-1 scoreline at 11/2.
Turkey stumbled last time out by ending on even terms with Latvia, and another late goal conceded was the culprit.
So, Fatih Terim’s team must take this chance to leapfrog the Dutch, as their final two games against the Czechs and Iceland look tough.
Galatasaray goal machine Burak Yilmaz, recently linked to West Ham United, is Turkey’s top scorer in qualifying, so is worth backing at 11/2 to net the opener.
Bayer Leverkusen set-piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu, tipped to be a Manchester United target, is 13/5 to notch anytime, while Barcelona buy and skipper Arda Turan is 10/3 in the same market.
For European football royalty the Netherlands, meanwhile, failure to secure automatic qualification would be hugely disappointing.
The Dutch have replaced Guus Hiddink in the dugout with Danny Blind, but the former defender has been unable to halt the poor run of results, as Clockwork Orange succumbed to Iceland in their previous duel.
A result is needed here, then, and there is plenty of quality in the ranks to provide it.
Leading Netherlands hitman in qualifying, Huntelaar is 5/1 to have the final say again, or the same price to open scoring, while fellow forward Robin van Persie, who now plies his trade in Turkey, is a tasty 2/1 to be on target anytime.
Premier League new boys Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum are respective 13/5 and 4/1 prices in that market also, with Clockwork Orange 4/1 to bag three or more on their travels.
