Preview and Prediction
Serbia’s form in the first match was not regarded as satisfactory. Their supposedly better squad was unable to optimise their potentials and eventually fail to snatch a point. The same situation happens to Turkey. No wonder that this will be a clash of two hurtful teams. It will also be an opportunity to prove whether their qualified squad can be equal to the high-quality result. The encounter of these two teams will be held in Belgrade next Monday.
Both teams’ previous games
Dusan Tadic and Co were surprisingly powerless despite having more chances before conceding. It was Artem Dzuyba’s penalty which shook their mentality. They even were two goals behind after Vyachevlav Karavaev scored another one through a long shot. At the second half, Alexander Mitrovic was able to bag a lifeline for Serbia but Nikola Maksimovic’s blunder gave away the ball to Dzuyba who finally completed his brace.
Turkey was no different. They were humiliatingly beaten by Hungary 0-1 while hosting The Magyar. Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick found the back of the net after hitting the post on the 80th minute. Yet, the more disappointing part was the fact that they barely created decent opportunities compared to their contender.
Possible tactic
Serbia under Ljubisa Tumbakovic might need to employ 4-2-3-1 formation instead of opting 3-4-2-1. Alexander Mitrovic is still the frontman while both wings Filip Kostic and Sergej Milenkovic-Savic or Darko Lazovic can earn the starting IX again. Dusan Tadic should be more effective as the number ten.
Senol Gunes is seemingly in need of modifying his ineffective 4-2-3-1 formation. He should consider transforming it to 4-3-1-2. Hakan Cahalnoglu is still the key man in the midfield but relying on 35-year old Burak Yilmaz only as the frontman might not be a good idea. Instead, he should give a chance to Cengiz Under to accompany Getafe’s Enes Unal upfront. In the midfield, Celta Vigo man Okan Yokuslu can support Irfan Kahveci and Kaan Ayhan to be the first layer of their defence line.
Players to watch
In Serbia, Fulham striker, Alexander Mitrovic is still the main man upfront who has contributed 35 goals so far in 55 caps. He excels at aerial duels and positioning. In the midfield, the key figures of the team are surely Dusan Tadic, Filip Kostic and Sevilla man, Nemanja Guldej.
AC Milan playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu is certainly the anchor of the midfield. Some other notable men to watch are Leicester and Juventus defenders, Caglar Soyuncu and Merih Demiral and AS Roma speedy winger Cengiz Under.
Serbia vs Turkey prediction
Serbia needs to take advantage of playing in their home turf here to save their campaign here. They should have the ability to perform better and secure a win. Senol Gunes’ men, on the other hand, must optimise their attack so that they could at least snatch a point on the road. However, the lady luck seems to be on the home side.
Betting odds
The match is expected to be even. However, Serbia is projected to win at 2.00. The draw result is at the value of 3.35, whereas Turkey is priced to win at 3.60.
