Turkey will welcome Hungary to Istanbul for Thursday's first leg of their UEFA Nations League playoffs against Hungary.
The hosts finished in second place in Group B4, while Hungary finished in third position behind Germany and the Netherlands in League A3.
Match preview
Turkey are competing in the promotion/relegation playoffs after winning three, drawing two and losing one of their six matches to finish in second spot and just one point shy of group winners Wales.
In fact, Turkey went into the final matchday in top spot, but a 3-1 defeat against Montenegro allowed Wales to snatch pole position, sending Vincenzo Montella's side into a playoff clash against Hungary.
The Crescent-Stars still have the chance to secure back-to-back promotions after coming up from League C in the 2022-23 Nations League.
Turkey, who hoping to reach League A for the first time, boast a strong home record in the competition, having avoided defeat in each of their previous eight Nations League matches in front of their own supporters (W5, D3).
However, their last home loss in the Nations League took place against Hungary in September 2020 when they lost 1-0 following Dominik Szoboszlai's late goal.
That has contributed to Turkey's five-game winless run in meetings with Hungary (D1, L4) since they cruised to a 3-0 win in European Championship qualifying in September 2007.
Hungary are set to compete in the playoffs after winning one, drawing three and losing two of their six group matches.
They recovered from a heavy 5-0 defeat against Germany to take five points from their next three games, before they slumped to a 4-0 loss against the Netherlands on matchday five.
Dominik Szoboszlai netted a late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw in Hungary's final group match against Germany, ensuring they finished four points above fourth-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina and three points adrift of the top two.
The Magyars will now have to get the better of Turkey over two legs if they are to extend their stay in League A into a third consecutive Nations League campaign.
Hungary will be keen to produce a strong offensive display in Thursday's fixture, having failed to score more than one goal in eight of their previous nine internationals.
The visitors will at least take confidence from the fact they have won each of their last three games against Turkey without conceding, including a 1-0 victory in March 2024.
Team News
Turkey have been unable to call up the injured quartet of Altay Bayindir, Caglar Soyuncu, Ferdi Kadioglu and Enes Unal.
Defender Merih Demiral and attacker Arda Guler will serve one-match bans after picked up their second yellow card of the Nations League in Turkey's defeat against Montenegro in November.
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu will don the captain's armband, with the 31-year-old just five games away from a century of international appearances.
As for the visitors, Marco Rossi has opted to leave out the experienced Adam Nagy, who only recently returned to action for Spezia following a short spell on the sidelines.
The Hungary boss has included four uncapped players in his squad, goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi, defender Attila Osvath and the midfield duo of Alex Toth and Balint Vecsei.
Szoboszlai will be back in action for the first time since Liverpool's EFL Cup final defeat, with the Hungary captain looking to add to the three goals he has scored in the 2024-25 Nations League.
Turkey possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Muldur, Ayhan, Bardakci, Elmali; Kokcu, Calhanoglu; Akgun, Yildiz, Yilmaz; Akturkoglu
Hungary possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Fiola, Orban, Dardai; Nego, Schafer, Nikitscher, Nagy; Szoboszlai, Sallai; Varga
We say: Turkey 1-1 Hungary
Turkey will be keen to make full use of home advantage ahead of Sunday's trip to Hungary, but we think the hosts could be held to a draw in Thursday's contest, taking into account the fact they have failed to win their last five head-to-head matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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