The highly anticipated Euro 2024 last-16 clash between Austria and Turkey will take place on Tuesday, July 2nd at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations at a major men’s tournament, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Match Preview
Austria have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament so far, topping a challenging Group D that included France, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Turkey, on the other hand, finished as runners-up in Group F behind Portugal, securing their spot in the knockout rounds. Both teams will be eager to make history and advance to the quarterfinals.
Austria are making their fifth appearance at the European Championships, having previously participated in 2008, 2016, 2020, and now 2024.
Their best performance to date was reaching the round of 16 in 2016, a feat they will be looking to surpass this time around.
Under the guidance of experienced manager Ralf Rangnick, Austria have assembled a well-organized and hard-working team.
Key players include Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer, RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer, and Inter Milan’s Marko Arnautovic, who will be tasked with leading the line.
Turkey are making their eighth appearance at the European Championships, having previously participated in 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and now 2024.
Their best performance was reaching the semi-finals in 2008, a feat they will be hoping to replicate this time around.
Managed by Vincenzo Montella, Turkey’s squad features a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents.
Hakan Çalhanoglu of Inter Milan and Real Madrid’s Arda Güler are the team’s creative hubs, while Cenk Tosun, formerly of Everton, will be the focal point of their attack.
Austria have been one of the standout teams in the tournament so far, winning two of their three group stage matches.
They began their campaign with a spirited 1-0 defeat to France, before bouncing back with impressive victories over Poland (2-1) and the Netherlands (3-2).
In their most recent outing, Austria showcased their resilience by coming from behind to defeat the Dutch, with Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic scoring the decisive goals.
This result cemented their position as group winners and has instilled a sense of belief within the squad.
Turkey have also impressed in the group stage, finishing second in Group F behind Portugal.
They began their campaign with a 3-1 win against Georgia, 3-0 loss to Portugal and eventually finished the group stage with a 2-1 victory.
Head-to-Head
Austria and Turkey have met on 17 previous occasions, with Austria holding a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record.
Austria wins: 9
Turkey wins: 7
Draws: 1
The most recent meeting between the two sides was in a friendly match in March 2024, where Austria secured a convincing 6-1 victory in Vienna.
This will be the first time Austria and Turkey have faced each other in a major tournament, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this last-16 clash.
Injury and Suspension Updates
Austria will be without the services of Patrick Wimmer, who is suspended for this match due to accumulated yellow cards.
Otherwise, Ralf Rangnick has a fully fit squad to choose from, with no reported injury concerns.
Turkey will be missing the services of key midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu, who is suspended for this match due to a red card in the group stage.
Defender Samet Akaydin is also ruled out due to suspension.
Prediction
This promises to be a closely contested affair between two teams that have impressed in the group stage.
Austria’s well-organized and high-pressing style has been a hallmark of their performances, while Turkey’s youthful exuberance and attacking flair have also caught the eye.
Given the recent head-to-head record and Austria’s impressive form, they will be the slight favorites to progress to the quarterfinals.
However, Turkey’s ability to score goals and their passionate support will make them a formidable opponent.
Our prediction is a narrow 2-1 victory for Austria, with Marko Arnautovic and Christoph Baumgartner finding the net for the Austrians, while Arda Güler scores a consolation goal for Turkey.
Betting Tips
Match Result: Austria to win
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals – Both teams have been involved in high-scoring matches in the group stage, and their previous meeting in March saw a total of 7 goals scored.
Both Teams to Score: Yes – Austria and Turkey have both shown the ability to find the back of the net, and their recent head-to-head encounters have often featured goals at both ends.
Handicap: Austria -0.5 – Austria’s defensive solidity and attacking prowess make them the slight favorites to win this match, even with the handicap.