Euro 2020: World Champions Want Some Turkish Delight

Turkey vs France

France heads to Turkey on Saturday for a Euro 2020 clash which is sure to be a tasty offering. Les Bleus are World Champions and have their eyes on the next prize.

But Turkey is never an easy place to visit. The passionate home crowd at the Konya Buyuksehir Stadi is sure to give Les Bleus a hostile reception. But that won’t worry Didier Deschamps much as his side, dripping with talent, can cope with whatever is thrown at them.

Senol Gunes is head coach at Turkey again, after a long absence, and fans will hope he can bring back some of the magic he weaved in his first reign after the turn of the millennium. But getting a result against Didier Deschamps’ France would be a work of magic indeed.

The early Euro 2020 betting odds have installed Les Bleus as favourites, alongside England, to win the tournament, and they already look in determined mood to follow up their World Cup triumph.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

2019 Copa America

Talking Points

Gunes aims to revive Turkey

Turkey has made a superb start to the qualifying campaign, winning both their games with a goal difference of six to none. And it’s no coincidence that Gunes took control of the national side back in February after a 15 year absence as head coach. He took Turkey to the 2002 World Cup Finals where they finished third, and how the home fans would love to see those days returning. He’s signed a four year deal which is time enough for him to make a difference.

Gunes has a nucleus of players from the Turkish league as well as some overseas influence from two of Europe’s best leagues. Roma’s 21 year old midfield star Cengiz Under has impressed in Serie A, and has represented Turkey 18 times, scoring five goals. And Everton’s Cenk Tosun is gaining valuable Premier League experience but is already a proven goal scorer on the international stage, scoring 13 in 38 games – he has two so far in this competition and his powerful presence is a threat to any defence.

France has striking options

In Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe France has two of the best strikers in the world, and they have each had outstanding seasons at Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint Germain. Mbappe took Russia 2018 by storm with his scintillating pace and skill, while Griezmann exudes class with every touch, and both are likely to feature in this crunch match.

After Chelsea's Europa League win, Olivier Giroud is eyeing to produce Euro 2020 highlights as France visit Turkey — France forward Olivier Giroud had a prolific season playing for Chelsea

Griezmann and Mbappe and have two goals each in the competition so far, but then so has Olivier Giroud who scored in the recent 4-0 annihilation of Iceland which he followed with a scoring performance for Chelsea in the Europa League final against Arsenal. That won him the Golden Boot for the tournament. Giroud has never been a fans’ favourite for Les Bleus but they seem to be starting to appreciate the big striker.

Deschamps has also selected Sevilla forward Wissam Ben Yedder in his squad but there is no place for Arsenal’s player of the season Alexandre Lacazette.

At the back, Barcelona centre back Clement Lenglet has been preferred to Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte and he is likely to line up alongside Stuttgart’s Benjamin Pavard, who caught the eye with his raids down the wing at the World Cup. And Moussa Sissoko has had his best season so far at Spurs and, if he carries his club form onto the European stage, the talented midfielder is sure to feature in the Euro 2020 highlights in the coming weeks.

History

Les Bleus started well in their Euro 2020 campaign, beating Moldova and Iceland, and have won four on the bounce, but then so have their opponents, who are unbeaten in five and have won their last three on home soil.

France has won both the previous two meetings between these sides and the current World Champions are strongly fancied to make it three from three.

Betting Tip

	Turkey vs France	France First Half 1×2 @ 2.28
	June 9, 02:45 (GMT+8)

37 places separate these two teams in the FIFA World Rankings; Deschamps’ team is second while Turkey is down in 39^th position. And France is available at SBOBET odds of 1.51 to win with the hosts at 5.00 and the draw is 3.85.

So anything other than another win for Les Bleus would be a big surprise, and I think they will be on the attack from the off in an attempt to silence the hostile locals.