France vs Turkey
The world champions are welcoming visitors to Paris next week and they have revenge on their mind.
Not only do they want to wrestle back control of their Euro 2020 qualifying destiny but they have the small matter of a 2-0 defeat to Turkey to avenge from the summer.
Back then, Turkey provided a night few of their fans will forget in a hurry as they toppled the world champions and defeated Les Bleus for the first time in their history.
Kaan Ayhan and Cengiz Under had Turkey in dreamland. If they repeat the feat in the Stade de France it will certainly be a surprise with the Sbobet Euro 2020 betting odds.
Talking Points
This is the latest clash in a big week in Group H. Despite controlling long spells of the game, Didier Deschamps’ team would have been mightily relieved to return home from Iceland with maximum points on Friday night after they were frustrated by a stubborn Iceland defence.
At the same time, Turkey were creating another of their own Euro 2020 qualifying highlights with a last-gasp victory to see off Albania, courtesy of a header from out of favour Everton frontman Cenk Tosun, and remain top of the group.
As an aside, the Toffees are currently 15th in the Premier League and have scored just six goals in seven games so Tosun’s goal may act as a useful reminder for under pressure boss Marco Silva.
Back on the international stage, France’s win was not all plain sailing as midfielder N’Golo Kante suffered an injury in the warm-up.
Both nations know victory in this one will seal a place in next summer’s spectacle and France will be quietly determined to go one better after suffering heartbreak on home soil three years ago.
The hosts have won their last seven games at home and Deschamps’ men have been pretty resolute in defence, keeping three clean sheets in four games, while conceding just once in the process.
Les Bleus also have a good recent home record in qualifying for the European Championships, as they are unbeaten in seven qualifiers on home soil, having recorded six victories.
On the flip side, Turkey have a pretty impressive recent away record in qualifying of their own.
Senol Gunes has guided his team to four wins in their last five matches on their travels in qualifying, scoring at least twice in three of them. They have also managed four clean sheets in five matches away from home.
Even without Paris St Germain starlet Kylian Mbappe and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba due to injury, France are firm favourites.
Regardless of the outcome, I expect both sides to see off Iceland’s spirited challenge and reach next summer’s tournament one way or the other.
History
Until Turkey’s triumph in June, France had won all their previous five meetings.
The first came in 1987 in a competition called the Mediterranean Games and all have been friendlies apart from the 2003 Confederations Cup semi-final (and that was arguably a glorified one).
On that occasion, Les Bleus triumphed 3-2, thanks to goals from the then Arsenal trio of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord.
The Turks replied through Gokdeniz Karadeniz and Tuncay Sanil.
In Lyon in 2009, a Karim Benzema penalty sealed a 1-0 victory for France in another international friendly.
Deschamps actually played for Les Bleus in a 1996 friendly success when his predecessor as coach, Laurent Blanc, Reynald Pedros, Youri Djorkaeff and Pires were on target.
Betting Tip
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France vs Turkey | France First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.12 |
| October 15, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
France can be backed in a variety of ways. How about 1X2 @ 1.27, First Half 1X2 @ 1.77 or the Asian Handicap odds of -1.50 @ 1.86 or First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.12.
It seems goals are expected with the only available ‘over under’ bet of over 2.75 goals @ 1.84.
Turkey 1X2 @ 6.40 and First Half 1X2 @ 7.80 shows how much they are deemed outsiders, as further highlighted by the draw which is offered @ 5.60.
Another Asian Handicap bet available is Turkey + 1.50 @ 1.98 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.73.
The Double Chance Turkey or Draw @ 3.05 may be worth a punt.
I think this will be tight, but I don’t think it will be goalless.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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