Na just six matches remain for Georgia and Turkey if dem wan qualify reach 2026 World Cup, as both teams dey set to begin dia UEFA Group E qualifiers on Thursday night for Tbilisi.
Georgia don dey enjoy better form since 2025 start, but Turkey wey shine recently just suffer one small setback.
Match Preview
After dem qualify reach Euro 2024 for the first time ever (where Spain later knock dem out for round of 16), Georgia go now chase dia first ever World Cup ticket.
For June international friendlies, dem beat Faroe Islands 1-0, then draw 1-1 with Cape Verde. Before that, Willy Sagnol men hammer Armenia home and away for Nations League playoff, winning 9-1 aggregate to move enter League B.
Georgia dey unbeaten in four straight games, last loss na November 2024 vs Czech Republic. Even for friendlies, dem dey on five-game unbeaten run since March 2023 – results wey include 6-1 win vs Mongolia and 8-0 thrash vs Thailand.
Turkey meanwhile dey chase World Cup return after reaching Euro 2024 quarter-final. With Spain dey for same group, e no go easy. But Turkey don show say dem fit disturb big nations, after dem secure promotion to UEFA Nations League League A in March by beating Hungary 6-1 aggregate.
Recently, Vincenzo Montella men play two friendlies for U.S. – beat USA but lose to Mexico. Turkey also get better head-to-head against Georgia, winning the last two meetings (3-1 both in 2012 and 2024).
Form
Georgia (all competitions): D L W W W D
Turkey (all competitions): D L W W W L
Team News
Georgia dey enter new golden era. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG star, Champions League winner) na the big name. Behind am dey Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Saba Lobjanidze also get eye for goal after scoring vs Cape Verde.
For Turkey, Baris Alper Yilmaz fit miss this game due to personal reasons. But dem still get danger men like Kerem Akturkoglu (five goals for Nations League) and midfield brain Hakan Calhanoglu.
Georgia possible XI: Mamardashvili; Azarovi, Kashia, Goglichidze, Lochoshvili; Kocharashvili, Mekvabishvili; Lominadze, Kiteishvili, Kvaratskhelia; Mikautadze
Turkey possible XI: Cakir; Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Elmali; Yuksek, Calhanoglu, Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Prediction
Backed by strong home support for Dinamo Arena, Georgia go wan start strong. Turkey don show strength for past 14 months, but this opener fit shock dem.
Our Pick: Georgia 2-1 Turkey