While most international teams are looking to strengthen their grip on a place in next summer’s World Cup in Russia, the game between Turkey and Moldova holds no competitive edge and is purely an international friendly. As an international break is already on over this week, the sides have decided to make the most of it and still go ahead with a friendly. Both sides are currently in the qualification stage of the World Cup: Turkey are mid-table in Group I while Moldova are rock bottom of Group D.

STATS

• Turkey haven’t been in the best form and have only won 2 games in their last 5. These wins came when they beat Finalnd and Kosovo (2-0) in a World Cup qualifier.
• Moldova’s form has been much worse and with 2 draws and 3 losses in their last 5, it will be almost impossible to qualify for their first World Cup. However, with 2 draws against Qatar and Georgia in their last 2 games, they aren’t as bad as they possibly look.
• Burak Yilmaz is certainly Turkey’s main attacking threat and has been their biggest source of goals for a few years now. He tends to play up front on his own with Barcelona midfielder, Arda Turan playing behind him.
• Alexandru Dedov is probably the best player in the Moldova team and has been since he was introduced to the squad in 2012. He has featured for his county 36 times in that space, scoring just the 2 goals. He’ll need to play well if they want to get a result.

HEAD TO HEAD

Turkey have won each of the 5 meetings between the two nations and Moldova are yet to ever score a goal against Turkey. The most recent fixture in 2008 ended with Turkey battering the European minnows 5-0. It could get ugly.

TURKEY NEWS

It should be a routine victory for Turkey in this one and will probably have a more of a training ground match feel to it. They are huge favourites and shouldn’t have any problems beating Moldova but a failure to keep a clean sheet in the game won’t reflect very well on the side that goes out on the pitch and plays. But it should be very easy for the hosts to overcome a weak Moldova side on Turkish soil.

Latest matches: Turkey

24.03.2017	Worl	Turkey	Finland	2:0	W
12.11.2016	Worl	Turkey	Kosovo	2:0	W
09.10.2016	Worl	Iceland	Turkey	2:0	L
06.10.2016	Worl	Turkey	Ukraine	2:2	D
05.09.2016	Worl	Croatia	Turkey	1:1	D

MOLDOVA NEWS

It would have to be a huge performance from Moldova to see them beat Turkey in this fixture and it will be almost impossible for them to win. However, with a good team performance full of passion they could manage to sneak a goalless draw against a very inconsistent Turkish side. They will definitely struggle though.

Latest matches: Moldova

24.03.2017	Worl	Austria	Moldova	2:0	L
19.03.2017	Inte	San Marino	Moldova	0:2	W
17.01.2017	Inte	Qatar	Moldova	1:1	D
12.11.2016	Worl	Georgia	Moldova	1:1	D
09.10.2016	Worl	Moldova	Republic of Ireland	1:3	L

SUMMING UP!

It would be a miracle if the hosts were to get beat in this match and it’s a great opportunity for this Turkey side to get some real confidence by putting a lot of goals past their opposition. It would be unrealistic to expect anything other than a convincing Turkey win and I think they will deliver just that on the night. It could get painful for Moldova fans to watch.