Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
With a spot in the knockout stage of this summer’s European Championships hanging in the balance on Wednesday night, the Czech Republic will meet Turkey in Hamburg.
Czech Republic
Starting with the Czech Republic, missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Georgia, Ivan Hasek’s men find their knockout stage dreams hanging in the balance here. Mustering just a single point from any of their opening two EURO 24 appearances this summer, the former Saint Etienne boss will be calling on his squad to make a crucial statement here. However, despite failing to open their account over in Germany, the Czech Republic have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 16 appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to November 2022. Despite losing all of their last three consecutive showdowns against Turkey, Hasek’s camp could be smelling a potential opportunity here.
Team News
In what could prove to be a huge blow for the Czech Republic on Wednesday night, Hasek’s men are sweating over the fitness of Bayer Leverkusen ace and attacking talisman Patrick Schick. Linked with a potential Premier League move this summer, 21-year-old Adam Hlozek could shoulder most of the Czech’s goalscoring responsibilities here.
While skipper Tomas Soucek might be set to make a 72nd international cap in Hamburg, the West Ham midfielder is one booking away from serving a one-match suspension.
Turkey
As for Turkey, while the Crescent Stars might have opened up their EURO 24 adventure with a hard-fought 3-1 victory against major tournament debutants Georgia on June 18th, Vincenzo Montella’s men came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually falling to a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Portugal, the former Sevilla boss has found increasing pressure on his shoulders. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations by a 2-1 defeat against Poland, Turkey have now recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Facing what is a summer-defining showdown when they travel to Hamburg on Wednesday night, Montella’s side have also shown some glaring defensive issues. In fact, the Crescent Stars have failed to muster a sole clean sheet over the past eight months.
Team News
Picking up what was a costly booking during their 3-0 drumming against Portugal last weekend, Galatasaray defender Abdulkerim Bardakci will miss out on Wednesday night as the 29-year-old serves a one-match suspension. Likewise, dealing with a reported back issue, Samet Akaydin is seen as a doubt in Hamburg and faces a late fitness test.
Controversially settling for a spot on the bench against Portugal on Saturday evening, budding Real Madrid superstar Area Guler should be handed a full recall here and will join 24-year-old Baris Yilmaz in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
