Netherlands vs Turkey: World Cup qualifying team news and prediction
A top-of-the-group showdown is looming as the Netherlands host Turkey in Group G tonight. Turkey are yet to lose a 2022 World Cup qualifying match, a record they'll hope to extend at the expense of the Oranje. However, back under the watchful eye of Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands are a force to be reckoned with once more.
Ahead of this clash, we provide all the pre-match information, including where the game takes place, how to watch this fixture, team news and probable XIs...
When is kick off?
Tuesday 7th September, 19:45 GMT
Where is the match?
Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Football
The Netherlands kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 4-2 defeat to Turkey, but quickly bounced back to defeat Latvia and Gibraltar to end the March international break on a high. However, their poor Euro 2020 showing saw Frank de Boer leave his post as head coach and replaced by Louis van Gaal for his third stint as Oranje boss. He oversaw a 1-1 draw with Norway to kick off his return to the Dutch hotseat, but followed that up with a 4-0 thrashing of Montenegro to leave the Netherlands with 10 points from five games.
Turkey remain undefeated in their group stage campaign, winning three of five matches, including the aforementioned 4-2 win over the Netherlands earlier this year. However, they were held to draws by Latvia and Montenegro, two nations the Oranje defeated with relative ease, and while they have been superb in the final third, netting 15 times from five games, they have also shipped seven goals and have kept just two clean sheets, though one of those was in an excellent 3-0 win in Norway. Despite a dire Euro 2020 campaign, Senol Gunes kept his job as head coach, so there is consistency in the setup.
Team News
Daley Blind returns from suspension and is expected to come in at left-back, with Tyrell Malacia the man to make way. Virgil van Dijk is also set to partner Stefan de Vrij at the heart of the defence at the expense of Matthijs de Ligt after the Liverpool man was rested for the 4-0 win over Montenegro. Nathan Ake is unavailable due to personal issues, while in attack, Cody Gakpo, who has impressed in the weekend victory, has withdrawn due to injury with Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen expected to deputise on the left.
For Turkey, Burak Yilmaz is available having missed the 3-0 win over Gibraltar through suspension and his return is a boost. The experienced forward hit a hat-trick in the reverse fixture. Senol Gunes is expected to make a number of changes from the weekend victory, with Merih Demiral, Hakan Calhanoglu and Cengiz Under set to start. Altay Bayindir may also reclaim his spot between the sticks at the expense of Ugurcan Cakir.
Probable XIs
Netherlands (433) - Bijlow; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Blind; Wijnaldum, De Jong, Klaassen; Berghuis, Depay, Malen
Turkey (451) - Bayindir; Celik, Ayhan, Demiral, Muldur; Under, Yazici, Yokuslu, Calhanoglu, Karaman; Yilmaz
Key Battle: Memphis Depay vs Burak Yilmaz
Of the eight perfect 10s awarded in UEFA World Cup qualifying, Memphis Depay is responsible for two of them, landing the rating in wins over Gibraltar and Montenegro. With an average WhoScored rating of 8.72, the Dutchman is the best rated player in qualifying having had a direct hand in six of the Netherlands' 16 goals scored, netting four, as he ranks top for both shots (30) and key passes (29).
Burak Yilmaz sits level with Depay on four goals in qualifying, three of which came in the reverse fixture. The Turkish star was on fire when these two faced off in March, hitting the back of the net with three of his four efforts, though he has scored just once in the following three qualifying matches. Yilmaz has started the season poorly, so Turkey are hoping he can rediscover his shooting boots in Amsterdam to boost their chances of securing a spot at the 2022 World Cup.
Score prediction: Netherlands 3-1 Turkey
