Our prediction for this Euro 2020 match:
Turkey
Match Time & Date:
11/10/2019
02:45 PM
Prediction: 2-0
Albania
Turkey will be aiming to retain first place in Group H when they welcome Albania at Vodafone Park in Istanbul. Turkey proved their worth in back-to-back wins over Andorra (1-0) and Moldova (4-0) and they will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Albania on Friday evening. Senol Gunes’ troops do not want to miss out on a place at yet another showpiece tournament and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field in the Vodafone Park showdown.
The Albanians, on the other hand, aim to build on a 4-2 win over Iceland, but given their poor away record in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Turkey’s party in Istanbul. A man to keep an eye on in the home side will be Hakan Calhanoglu.
Highlighted Player (Nuri Sahin):
Born in Germany to Turkish parents, Nuri Sahin is a Turkish international midfielder, who hasn’t exactly managed to realise his full potential. The left-footed footballer remains one of the most impressive players to have graduated from the Borussia Dortmund youth academy, and he went on to become a first team regular at Westfalenstadion at the age of 17.
Following a thoroughly impressive loan stint with Feyenoord, Sahin returned to Dortmund, where he enjoyed two more very successful years before signing for Real Madrid. However, it was at that time that his career started taking the wrong turn as he was never able to rediscover his form, and he eventually returned to Borussia following a somewhat disappointing stint at Liverpool.
Sahin is no longer considered a first team regular for either club or country, but he has amassed around 50 appearances for the Turkey national team, and he still has time to get his career back on track.
Highlighted Team (Albania):
The Albanian national football team has represented the country on international stage since 1946, and it is interesting to note that Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA back in 1954. The Eagles have enjoyed very little success in the 20th century, but they managed to show some improvement at the turn of the century and eventually secured their first ever appearance at a major tournament.
Albania qualified for the Euro 2016 finals as they came second in their qualifying group behind Portugal, taking 14 points from 8 matches, with Italian coach Gianni De Biasi at the helm. The Eagles have never qualified for the World Cup finals in 11 attempts, winning mere 14 of 94 World Cup qualifiers.
Former Lazio defender Lorik Cana has worn the captain’s armband over the last few years and he is Albania’s most capped player, while former Chievo forward Erjon Bogdani still holds the record for most goals for the national team, with 18 strikes in 74 appearances.
Ajax
Chelsea
Leipzig
Zenit
Genk
Liverpool
Inter
Borussia Dortmund
Salzburg
Napoli
Slavia Prague
Barcelona
