Turkey and the Netherlands will lock horns in Istanbul in the opening fixture of the 2022 World Cup qualification Group G on Wednesday. The kick-off is at 18:00 CET.

Preview

The Turks, who have made it to the forthcoming European Championship, will be hoping to claim a point at the very least in their home clash with the Dutch side as Senol Gunes's men have only lost three out of their last 21 games across all competitions. The Crescent-Stars' current form makes them strong contenders to qualify for the 2022 WC from the Group C that also includes Norway, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar.

Frank de Boer's side, who will also feature at the Euros this summer, are favourites to finish top of the group. In fact, the Dutch are on a five-game unbeaten streak ahead of the Group C opener, including back-to-back victories over Bosnia and Poland in November.

Despite the French government's travelling restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lyon forward Memphis Depay is set to join the Netherlands during the current international break while Jasper Cillessen is set to start between the sticks on Wednesday after missing November's matches through an injury.

Turkey, in turn, are set to be without Cengiz Under this time around as the Leicester City winger remains on the sidelines.

Prediction

Knowing that they will have to face Erling Haaland in their encounters with Norway further into the qualifying campaign, both Turkey and the Netherlands will be looking to claim all three points on Wednesday. Considering the fact that the Dutch side conceded at least once in five out of their six matches with De Boer at the helm, we'd say that the Turks are more than capable of harming their forthcoming opposition's hopes of qualifying for the Qatari Mundial.

Tip

The Netherlands to win or draw and both teams to score at 2.14 with 1XBET.