Wales – Turkey

The maximally motivated Welsh won’t lose to the group leaders

The situation in Group D before the final round was not devoid of tournament intrigue. Turkey secured their participation in UEFA EURO 2024 by securing one of the top two places in the group ahead of schedule. Lithuania and Armenia before the last match day have no chance for a place in the top 2. Croatia and Wales will fight in absentia for the final second place in the group. Now the reigning World Cup bronze medallist has thirteen points, ahead of the British team on two points. To qualify for UEFA EURO 2024, the Welsh only need to beat Turkey at home and hope for any outcome of the Croatia-Armenia encounter other than a win for the hosts. Had Wales won against Armenia in Yerevan last Thursday, the situation would now be in their hands and feet. Bookmakers have identified the hosts as favorites for the upcoming encounter, offering odds of 2.16 on their victory. The Vallians spent the last part of the qualifying campaign with a decent result, beating both the Croats and Latvians. Such success in a competitive group instantly lifted Wales from the status of one of the outsiders to a contender for a final place in the top 2. Before the last round, the Welsh had very bad memories from the first meeting with the Armenians in the group, when they were beaten 2:4 at home. Given the away status of that game, as well as the negative experience of confrontation with the opponent, Wales could only set themselves up for a draw in Yerevan, losing two invaluable points. In the upcoming game, there is nowhere to retreat. In recent years, the Turks have gained a decent level of play. In the World Cup qualification this team became the second after the Netherlands, after which they were eliminated in the play-offs by Portugal. In last year's Nations League C, Stefan Kunz's team finished first in the group with Luxembourg, Faroe Islands and Lithuania, which will allow them to start the next round in League B. The Turks lost only their first game against Croatia in the current qualifying round and dropped points in September, failing to squeeze out anything more than a draw against Armenians at home. In the first game against Wales at home, Turkey barely squeezed out the outnumbered opponents. The visitors are unlikely to find enough motivation to win in Cardiff.