Turkey vs Italy Lineups, Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds

Turkey vs Italy Match Summary

There is plenty riding on this one for the neutral South African viewer: Turkey and Italy both stumbled on Matchday 1 and arrive chasing their first points of this Nations League A campaign.

The home side went down 1-0 at home to France on Friday, unable to respond after falling behind. Turkey have now lost three of their last four internationals, failing to score each time.

Italy travel here smarting from a chastening 2-0 home defeat to Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico. The Azzurri had strung back-to-back wins together before that setback knocked the wind out of them.

These two have shared the spoils before, with the overall record between them showing three draws and three away wins for Italy, so this Turkey vs Italy prediction is far from a formality.

Turkey vs Italy Form

The home side are in a rut, losing three of their last four international outings and drawing a blank in every one of those defeats. That France loss followed the pattern, with Turkey unable to find a way through in front of goal. Arda Güler remains their creative heartbeat, but the engine room badly needs him firing to spark a stubborn, low-scoring attack.

Italy come in bruised after a 2-0 home reverse against Belgium in Rome, though the Azzurri had banked back-to-back wins beforehand, so the wheels have not entirely come off. With Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella running the engine room and Moise Kean leading the line, the quality is there. They just need a sharper edge on the road.

Turkey vs Italy Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Turkey: Hakan Çalhanoglu (Injured/out), Kenan Yildiz (Injured/out), Mert Müldür (Injured/out), Orkun Kökçü (Injured/out), Ugurcan Çakir (Suspended)

Italy: Federico Mane (Injured/out), Michele Dagasso (Injured/out), Jeff Ekhator (Injured/out), Bryan Cristante (Injured/out), Federico Dimarco (Injured/out)

Turkey

The big change for the home side is between the sticks, with Ugurcan Çakir suspended after his red card against France, so Altay Bayindir steps in to deputise. Turkey are also without the influential Hakan Çalhanoglu and Orkun Kökçü through injury, a real blow to their midfield. Eren Elmali is in line for a recall on the right.

Italy

The Azzurri could shuffle midfield, with Davide Frattesi pushing for a recall despite the defeat on home soil. Beyond that, few changes are expected. Italy are without Bryan Cristante and Federico Dimarco through injury, but there is still plenty of experience across the spine with Gianluigi Donnarumma behind a settled back line.

Turkey vs Italy Predicted Lineup

Turkey

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: A. Bayindir; M. Demiral, A. Bardakci, Z. Çelik; F. Kadioglu, I. Yüksek, S. Özcan, E. Elmali; A. Güler, C. Uzun; B. A. Yilmaz

Italy

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted Starting Lineup: G. Donnarumma; R. Calafiori, D. Coppola, G. Mancini, G. D. Lorenzo; S. Tonali, D. Frattesi, N. Barella; N. Cambiaghi, F. P. Esposito, M. Kean

Turkey vs Italy Key Stats & Match Facts

• The overall record between these two nations shows no home wins, three draws and three wins for the away side.
• The away side have never lost across the three previous meetings that finished level, drawing three of the six overall.
• The home side have lost three of their last four international fixtures.
• Turkey have failed to score in each of those last three defeats.
• Italy had recorded back-to-back wins before their Nations League opener defeat.

Turkey vs Italy Prediction & Best Bets

Our prediction: This one points towards the visitors. Turkey have lost three of their last four and cannot buy a goal, while Italy carry the greater quality despite their own wobble. Our projected 1-0 to the Azzurri reflects a narrow away win. Turkey vs Italy betting odds line up with that lean.

Best Bets

Italy to win Backing the away side makes sense at 8/5 with Ladbrokes. Italy have the sharper individuals, and with Turkey blanking in three straight defeats, the visitors look best placed to nick the points on the road.

Under 2.5 goals The Under 2.5 goals market reads well at 13/10 with QuinnBet. Turkey are firing blanks, both sides trailed by falling behind first on Matchday 1, and a cagey, low-scoring affair suits our narrow one-goal projection.

Turkey vs Italy Bet Builder

Our four-leg Turkey vs Italy bet builder backs Italy to win, both teams to score, Gianluca Scamacca to score anytime and Ismail Yuksek to be shown a card in a contested clash.

Italy to win anchors the ticket. The visitors carry the greater quality across the pitch, and with Turkey unable to find the net lately, the away side look best placed to take the points.

Both teams to score adds value. Turkey will be desperate to end their goal drought at home, while Italy have the attacking threat to punish a hosts side chasing the game.

Gianluca Scamacca to score anytime leans on Italy's need for a cutting edge on the road. A recognised striker offers a genuine outlet if the Azzurri can control the contest.

Ismail Yuksek to be shown a card fits a stubborn midfield battle. Turkey's engine room will have to scrap against Tonali and Barella, and cards often follow in these tight international tussles.

Right now, the best combined price for this four-leg selection sits at 19/1, with the market as compressed as 15/1 elsewhere. Backing at the top end rather than the bottom leaves R42 more in your pocket on a R10 stake.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.

Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.

Turkey vs Italy Talking Points

There is a nice thread in the dugouts for the pundits to chew on: Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella and Italy boss Roberto Mancini once lined up together as strike partners at Sampdoria. Now they meet as rivals, with Mancini back for a second spell in charge of the Azzurri and already feeling the heat after that 2-0 defeat to Belgium in Rome. For the South African viewer weighing up their best bets, it adds real spice to a fixture where both bosses badly need a result.

Turkey vs Italy Predictions FAQs

When is the Turkey vs Italy UEFA Nations League game?

The match will take place on Monday 28 September 2026, kicking off at 20:45 SAST.

Where is Turkey vs Italy being played?

The match will be played at the Matli Stadyumu Atatürk Spor Kompleksi.

What is the latest team news for Turkey vs Italy?

Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir is suspended with Altay Bayindir set to deputise, while Hakan Çalhanoglu is sidelined through injury. Italy are missing Bryan Cristante and Federico Dimarco, but Davide Frattesi could feature in midfield.

What are the probable lineups for Turkey vs Italy?

Turkey are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation led in attack by Baris Alper Yilmaz and Arda Güler. Italy are projected to deploy a 4-3-3 shape featuring Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella, and Moise Kean.

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