Turkey vs. Portugal Prediction: 2024 Euro Betting Odds

Turkey snapped a three-match losing streak at the Euro and a five-match winless streak overall with their 3-1 victory over Georgia on Tuesday that has emerged as an early candidate to be the most exciting contest of this year’s tournament. Conversely, Portugal needed both a Czech own goal and extra time to eke out a 2-1 win in far more tedious matchup with Czechia on Tuesday, which marked their first win in four Euro contests.

Despite their failure to dominate in their tournament-opening win over the Czechs, Portugal leads the way as -185 favourites on Saturday Euro group stage odds while Turkey trails as +450 underdogs. The odds of this match ended in a draw are pegged at +333 and the total going OVER 2.5 is listed at -155.

Turkey vs Portugal Betting Analysis

Saturday afternoon’s matchup marks just the second non-friendly clash between these nations since they met in the group stage at the 2008 European Championship. Portugal rolled to a 3-1 win over the Magyars in 2022 World Cup qualifying and have historically dominated in head-to-head non-friendly competition, winning six all-time meetings while outscoring Turkey by a wide 14-2 overall margin. Portugal also compiled a perfect 10-0-0 win-draw-loss record in Euro qualifying, but produced mixed results in pre-tourney friendly action, going 2-0-2 with their two defeats coming against opponents currently participating in this year’s tournament.

Turkey looks to Matchday 2 after escaping with a 3-1 victory over a relentless Georgia squad making their first ever appearance in a major tournament. The Georgians pushed Turkey to the brink while generating 15 total shot attempts, and with both sides getting denied by a goalpost or crossbar, the outcome of this contest was far from certain until Kerem Aktürkoğlu buried the insurance goal to seal the win in the seventh minute of added time. With their recent winless streak now behind them, Turkey can now focus on addressing offensive woes. The side has produced just six total goals in six matches in all competitions and averaged just one goal per match while going 3-0-6 in nine Euro outings.

Turkey

Arda Guler emerged as the hero in Turkey’s tournament opener, potting the winning goal and has fast become one of the most important pieces of this Magyars squad. The 19-year-old midfielder is also coming off an impressive debut with Real Madrid, where he scored six times in 10 La Liga contests this season and has scored five times in his past seven appearances in all competitions. Listed as a +360 bet to score again on the Saturday Euro player props, Guler is part of talented group of youngsters representing Turkey at this tournament, along with the likes of 21-year-old Bertuğ Yildirim and 23-year-old Benfica striker Orkun Kokcu, who could cause headaches for the Portugues with their high tempo play and striking ability.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo leads a veteran Portugal squad looking to recapture the glory of their Euro championship victory in 2016. While CR7 was held off the scoresheet in Tuesday’s group stage opener, he remains a constant threat to bust a match wide open after potting 10 total goals over his past 10 Euro match appearances. A potential successor to 39-year-old as the leader of Portuguese squad, Bruno Fernandes also represents one of the leading scoring threats on this talented squad. The Manchester United captain has bulged the twine nine times over his past 13 appearances with the national side, but has been held off the scoresheet in three straight contests. While Portugal sport elite offensive weapons, they have also managed to surrendered two goals four times over their past six games. Faced with a youthful Turkish opponent, this contest could evolve into a high-scoring affair.