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A classic of the UEFA European Championship genre pits Czechia against Turkey in what is a crucial game for both sides as they seek Round of 16 qualification. Group F has its winner in Portugal but second and third remains yet to be determined.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 24th June, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX
CZECHIA PREVIEW: CZECHIA, MATE
It was a really underwhelming qualifying campaign for Czechia. So much so, their manager, Jaroslav Silhavy, was eventually sacked by the Central Europeans and replaced by Czechoslovakia’s 1990 FIFA World Cup captain, Ivan Hasek. Hasek improved performances in the March international break and that has continued into this tournament.
They were very defensive against one of the pre-tournament favourites Portugal but eventually took a surprise lead before losing in second-half stoppage-time. They backed that up, though, by a much more proactive performance against Georgia in which they will feel aggrieved at their wastefulness to have drawn the game 1-1.
TURKEY PREVIEW: TURKS LOOKING TO TWEAK
Under the management of former Italy international striker Vincenzo Montella, Turkey started the tournament with one of the most entertaining games so far. They defeated Georgia by three goals to one to win their first ever opening game at a UEFA European Championships at the fifth time of trying.
However, with Montella making some unusual alterations to his side for the second group stage game, Turkey found themselves completely outplayed by the Portuguese and eventually succumbing to a 3-0 loss that leaves their participation in the knockout stages of UEFA EURO 2024 in a little bit of doubt.
CZECHIA TEAM NEWS: CZECHS TO REMAIN ON THE FRONT FOOT
Czechia played a flat 3-5-2 against the Portuguese to frustrate them before a more attacking and front foot 3-4-3 with Adam Hlozek and Vaclav Cerny flanking Patrik Schick. They generally performed well and need a win so are expected to be unchanged.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Doudera; Hlozek, Schick, Cerny
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
TURKEY TEAM NEWS: BARDAKCI TO BE SUSPENDED
The decision to drop both Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz was an odd one from Vincenzo Montella and both are expected to return with Altay Bayindir also expected to stay in place of Mert Gunok, who is a doubt. Centre-back Abdulkerim Bardakci is missing through suspension.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Bayindir; Celik, Demiral, Akaydin, Kadioglu; Ayhan, Calhanoglu; Guler, Kokcu, Yildiz; Yilmaz
UNAVAILABLE: Bardakci (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Gunok (Injured), Guler (Injured)
KEY STATS
CZECHIA VS TURKEY PREDICTION
These two would appear generally evenly matched but in terms of the actual personnel, Turkey certainly have an edge. That said, Turkey have massively fluctuated in their performance levels, whilst Czechia have remained steady and steady and consistent may well be enough to handle the mercurial attacking talents of the Turks with Schick, Hlozek and Cerny all a genuine threat on the break. A double chance bet in favour of the Czechs may well be a good bet for this one.
CZECHIA VS TURKEY TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – CZECHIA TO WIN OR DRAW