Turkey vs Portugal predictions: Hakan can test out Ronaldo's favourites
- Turkey beat Georgia 3-1 in their Group F opener
- Portugal have won all six competitive fixtures played against the Turks
- Recommended bet: Hakan Calhanoglu Over 0.5 Shots on Target
Portugal boast a perfect six-out-of-six record against Turkey in competitive fixtures and are a short price at 3/5 with LiveScore Bet to make it seventh heaven in Dortmund.
But Cristiano Ronaldo's team, relieved to beat the Czechs 2-1 in their opener, will be wary of a Turkey side who shone in beating Georgia 3-1.
Team news
Fenerbahce midfielder Irfan Can Kahveci missed the win over Georgia and still has not returned to training.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez surprised everyone with his 3-2-3-2 formation against the Czechs — and he may not repeat it.
A return to a back four — with 41-year-old Pepe sitting out and Joao Cancelo restored to full-back — should also coincide with Joao Palhinha dropping anchor in midfield.
The stats
These nations have met six times in competitive matches and Portugal have won all six, most recently 3-1 in a World Cup qualifying play-off tie in March 2022.
Turkey's 3-1 win against Georgia was their first victory in six internationals. Portugal have not had a draw in any of their last 26 matches.
Prediction
Group F's opening-day winners meet in Dortmund, the scene of Turkey's 3-1 triumph over Georgia.
Portugal arrive at Signal Iduna Park from Leipzig where they beat Czech Republic 2-1 courtesy of Francesco Conceicao's late goal, and they are clear favourites to see off the Turks.
There is no doubt they will have to play better than they did against the Czechs, with Roberto Martinez's tweaked formation looking unbalanced for long periods in a game where their opponents were stubborn but little more.
Turkey will also ask more questions of Portugal, especially their driving force, Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu.
The 30-year-old has just come off his best-ever top-flight scoring season having popped in 13 goals in his side's romp to Serie A glory.
Against Georgia, Calhanoglu was hugely influential, firing off four of Turkey's 22 shots with one on target.
The Turks will see less of the ball against Portugal than they managed against Georgia but they are an improving unit and much of their good work goes through Calhanoglu.
Given that he takes the teams penalties as well, take Calhanoglu to have at least one shot on target over the course of a game Portugal ought to win, but could be tight.
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