Live Netherlands Turkey qualifying for Euro 2016

06 09 2015

Two European sides that need a win here to stay alive in Euro 2016 Qualifying face off when the Netherlands square off against Turkey this Sunday. The game will be live on ESPN 2.

With three games left in qualifying, Turkey knows it faces an uphill battle to finish in the top 2 of Group A. They sit with seven points behind the Czech Republic

and Iceland, who lead Group A.

Going into this matchup, Turkey drew 1-1 with Latvia. Valerijis Sabala got the equalizer for Latvia late in the game.

Meanwhile, Danny Blind is now the new man in charge for the Netherlands after taking over for Guus Hiddink this past summer.

Blind’s second rodeo didn’t go as planned as Iceland defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in Amsterdam.

With this result, the Dutch sit at eight points behind Iceland, and six points behind the Czech Republic.

The Dutch still have a shot at getting a top two spot for Euro 2016, but if they finish third in the group, they’ll have to settle for a playoff.

Team News: The Netherlands will have an inactive for this match in Bruno Martin Indi, as he is going to serve a suspension after being sent off in the match against Iceland. Blind indicated that Indi’s incident was “unbelievably unprofessional.”

Indi’s suspension could see an uncapped defender in the squad, which could include Virgil van Dijk. For Turkey, Arda Turan is available for this match after sitting out due to a suspension.

The good news for both sides is that neither side have injuries going into this crucial matchup.

Series History: The Netherland go into this matchup with a 5-4-2 record.

Unbeaten in their last six, the last time these two faced off was this year with a 1-1 draw as the result. The last time the Netherlands defeated Turkey was in World Cup Qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory.

Turkey’s last win over the Netherlands dates back to 1997 with a 1-0 victory.

That match happened to be a 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualification match.

Prediction: Both sides want one thing, and that is a win to stay alive in qualification. One advantage for Turkey is that they have the home field advantage, but the Netherlands are the better side, despite their struggles.

I have the Netherlands winning 2-1, in which I see a late goal coming in the second half.