Turkey go try keep their Group E hopes alive as dem host Bulgaria on Saturday in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The hosts dey second, three points behind leaders Spain, while they dey six points clear of third-placed Georgia. Bulgaria dey rock bottom with zero points.
Match Preview
Turkey don impress in Group E, winning three of four matches to collect nine points, still in the mix to finish top ahead of Spain. Vincenzo Montella’s side recorded two big wins in October, beating Bulgaria 6-1 and Georgia 4-1, but dem suffer 6-0 loss to Spain in September, a result wey fit prove costly later.
A win here go keep Turkey’s top spot hopes alive, even if Spain beat Georgia same night, though goal difference swing must happen on final matchday when Turkey face Spain. The Crescent-Stars fit seal a top-two spot if dem avoid defeat or if Georgia fail beat Spain. Most likely outcome for Turkey is a playoff spot.
Bulgaria don struggle, losing all four Group E matches, scoring only once and conceding 16. Aleksandar Dimitrov’s side lost 3-0 to Spain and Georgia in September, then 6-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Spain in October. Bulgaria no fit reach top two and dey play only for pride, but their results fit still influence who qualifies.
Historically, Turkey vs Bulgaria: 24 meetings, Turkey win 10, Bulgaria win 8, last three matches all won by Turkey.
Team News
Turkey dey miss Eren Elmali, Isak Vural, Ayberk Karapo through injury. Yunus Akgun also out. Recognisable names still available include Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, Kerem Akturkoglu. Kenan Yildiz – linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid – go start.
Bulgaria go miss Anton Nedyalkov, Petko Hristov, Radoslav Kirilov. Kiril Despodov, captain and 15-goal scorer, go lead attack. Marin Petkov fit start, while Martin Minchev and Stanislav Shopov complete strong front and midfield options.
Turkey Possible Starting XI
Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Akaydin; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Yilmaz, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Bulgaria Possible Starting XI
Mitov; Popov, Chernev, Bozhinov, Georgiev; Shopov, Krastev, Gruev; Petkov, Despodov, Minchev
Prediction: Turkey 3-0 Bulgaria
Turkey dey in excellent form after two October internationals, and Bulgaria no dey likely to pick up result. Home side get plenty quality in final third and should secure another three points.
