Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Turkey vs. Lithuania - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 12 June 2022, 23:04
Seeking to make it four wins from four and extend their lead at the top of Group C1, Turkey play host to Lithuania at the Goztepe Gursel Aksel Stadyumu on Tuesday.

The Rinktine, on the other hand, head into the game on a run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions and will be looking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Turkey maintained their 100% record in the UEFA Nations League as they claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Luxembourg on Saturday.

In a one-sided affair at the Stade de Luxembourg, Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu put the visitors ahead with a 37th-minute penalty before substitute Serdar Dursun put the results beyond doubt in the 76th minute.

Prior to that, Stefan Kuntz's side ended a run of two consecutive defeats with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Faroe Islands in their group opener on June 4 before thrashing Lithuania 6-0 three days later.

Turkey head into Tuesday's game as one of just three sides yet to concede a goal in the Nations League, alongside Greece and Ukraine, while they boast the joint-best attacking record with 12 goals scored so far.

The Crescent-Stars have now won all but one of their last seven competitive outings across all competitions — scoring 23 goals and conceding five in that time — with a 3-1 defeat against Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers back in March being the only exception.

Lithuania, on the other hand, were left empty-handed once again as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Faroe Islands when the sides squared off on Saturday.

After taking the lead courtesy of Fedor Cernych's seventh-minute strike, Viljormur Davidsen and Jakup Biskopsto Andreasen scored in a 25-minute spell to turn the game on its head and hand the hosts all three points at the Torsvollur Stadium.

Valdas Ivanauskas's side, who have lost each of their last four outings across all competitions while conceding 11 goals and scoring one, are now one of just four teams yet to pick up any points after three rounds of matches in the Nations League.

While Lithuania will be looking to end this poor record, they have struggled to get going away from home, where they have lost nine of their last 10 games, with a 2-1 friendly victory over San Marino on March 25 being the exception.

Turkey Nations League form:

Turkey form (all competitions):

Lithuania Nations League form:

Lithuania form (all competitions):

Team News

Off the back of a dominant victory over Luxembourg, Kuntz could name a similar starting side on Tuesday, meaning we could see Dursun, who boasts four goals under his belt in the campaign, spearhead the attack once again.

The Fenerbahce forward should be joined in the final third by 24-year-old Cengiz Under and Brentford man Halil Dervisoglu, who has also been involved in four goals at the tournament.

Calhanoglu has started each of Turkey's three games and we expect the Inter Milan midfielder to handle business at the centre of the park once again, alongside Dogukan Sinik and 26-year-old Dorukhan Tokoz.

The hosts have been utterly dominant at the defensive end of the pitch, where they are yet to concede at the Nations League, and we expect to see a centre-back pairing of Merih Demiral and Leicester City man Caglar Soyuncu shielding Ugurcan Cakır in goal.

Meanwhile, Cernych scored Lithuania's first goal in the Nations League last time out and the Jagiellonia Białystok forward could be handed his second consecutive starting appearance.

Twenty-four-year-old Pijus Sirvys will push for a starting role at the defensive end of the pitch, potentially coming in for Edgaras Utkus, who is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Faroe Islands.

Linas Megelaitis and Vykintas Slivka have started each of Lithuania's three games so far and we expect the duo to team up at the centre of the park once again, alongside former Legia Warszawa man Arvydas Novikovas.

Turkey possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Kadioglu, Demiral, Soyuncu, Celik; Tokoz, Sinik, Calhanoglu; Under, Dervisoglu, Dursun

Lithuania possible starting lineup:

Bartkus; Barauskas, Klimavicius, Sirvys, Baravykas; Megelaitis, Slivka; Cernych, Novikovas, Lasickas; Klimavicius

We say: Turkey 3-0 Lithuania

While Lithuania will be looking to arrest their slump, next up is the stern test of taking on a rampant Turkey side who have hit their stride at the tournament. Looking at the gulf in quality and experience between the sides, and their contrasting form, we are backing the hosts to come away with all three points unscathed.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City supporters were hoping that November's international break would provide some of the club's senior stars with an opportunity to step up their recovery from injury. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice, aiming to maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league, are set to host Strasbourg at the STADIUM on Sunday night for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea expect to have Cole Palmer fit for this weekend's Premier League encounter against Leicester City. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola reminded doubters of his commitment to the club by referencing his relegation claim of six months ago. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.