Verdict: Turkey win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Knowing that they can take a giant leap towards booking a top-two finish in Group E, Turkey will welcome Georgia to Kocaeli on Tuesday night.

Turkey

Starting with the hosts, while Turkey might have signed off September with a woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of reigning European champions Spain, the Crescent Stars came roaring back in some style over the weekend. Putting in what was a dominant display as they cruised their way to a 6-1 romp away at Bulgaria, Vincenzo Montella’s side will be confident of making another statement here. Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway with an action-packed 3-2 win against Georgia, Turkey know that they can take a giant leap towards booking a top-two finish in Group E. Clinching a famous Nations League top-flight ticket back in March as they secured a 6-1 aggregate victory against Hungary, Tuesday’s hosts have also largely impressed with their free-scoring performances in the final third.

Turkey Team News

Making a personal piece of history against Bulgaria over the weekend as he earned a 100th international cap, Inter Milan ace Hakan Calhanoglu will lead out Montella’s side on Tuesday night. Completing a big-money move to Galatasaray over the summer, Ugurcan Cakir will start between the sticks.

Opening his World Cup qualifying account with a brace away at Bulgaria on Saturday, Juventus star Kenan Yildiz will lead the line here. Likewise, getting on the scoresheet in Sofia and enjoying a sensational start to the new campaign with Real Madrid, Arda Turan will also feature.

Georgia

As for the visitors, although Georgia might have cruised their way to a 3-0 routine 3-0 romp against Bulgaria on September 7th, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Willy Sagnol’s camp. Last seen over the weekend falling to a 2-0 loss at the hands of La Roja, the Crusaders find their Group E dreams hanging by a thread ahead of Tuesday’s showdown. Despite clinging to their Nations League second-tier status earlier in the year, Georgia have continued to show some real inconstancies over recent times. Likewise, hit with that 3-2 defeat when they met Turkey for their reverse World Cup qualifying battle last month, Sagnol’s camp are widely regarded as a major underdog when they travel to Kocaeli.

Georgia Team News

Completing a sensational silverware sweep in what was his maiden campaign with PSG last season, attacking talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will play a leading role in attack. Completing a summer switch to Spanish outfit Villarreal, Georges Mikautadze will partner Kvaratskhelia in the final third.

Making his Premier League debut for Liverpool earlier in the month, former Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will start between the sticks on Tuesday night and earn a 33rd international cap.

Turkey vs Georgia Key Factors to Consider

• When Turkey and Georgia met for their reverse World Cup qualifying showdown on September 4th, Tuesday’s hosts collected an action-packed 3-2 win on foreign soil.
• In fact, Turkey have won all of their previous three meetings against Georgia by an aggregate score of 9-5.
• Georgia have recorded just a pair of competitive wins on foreign soil since June 2023.
• Turkey’s first three Group E appearances this year have produced 18 goals at both ends of the pitch.
• The Crusaders have lost three of their last four competitive matchups on foreign soil.

Conclusion

Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they clinched a thumping 6-1 victory away at Bulgaria, Turkey will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Knowing that they can take a giant leap towards booking a top-two finish in Group E, Montella’s camp will be excited by a dominant record against Tuesday’s guests. Including a 3-2 win when they met Georgia for their reverse qualifying battle on September 4th, they have won all of their last three showdowns against the Crusaders by an aggregate score of 9-5.

Verdict: Turkey win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster