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Turkey vs Wales, Euro 2020: Kick-off time, TV channel details, prediction and team news

Wales training ahead of their clash against Turkey - GETTY IMAGES
Wales training ahead of their clash against Turkey - GETTY IMAGES

Turkey will be expecting a big boost from a supportive 30,000 crowd in Baku, and they might just need it.

After a 3-0 loss to Italy without even a shot on target, Turkey tackle a Wales team looking to build on their opening Group A draw against Switzerland.

Azerbaijan is an ally of Turkey and the two countries have close cultural ties, so a large delegation of travelling fans and local Turkey supporters are expected. Having played in a quiet, mostly empty venue for their 1-1 draw with the Swiss, Wales could now face an intimidating away-game atmosphere.

What time does Turkey vs Wales kick off?

The match will kick off at 5pm at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.

What TV channel is it on - can I watch it live?

This game will be broadcast on BBC so you can watch on freeview or BBC iPlayer. The TV rights for the tournament are shared by BBC and ITV.

Latest Euros team news

Turkey

Turkey play with a boldness becoming of the youngest squad at Euro 2020. Coach Senol Gunes has employed tactics and formations for different opponents.

Systems based on 4-2-3-1, a narrow 4-4-2 diamond and 4-3-3 have all been used at various times. Gunes went for 4-1-4-1 against Italy, but veteran striker Burak Yilmaz was isolated and Turkey's defensive approach backfired.

Full-backs Umur Meras and Zeki Celik usually add width to attacks, but the pair were camped in their own defensive third. Turkey defended too narrowly in Rome, allowing plenty of space on the outside that Italy exploited to maximum effect.

Against Wales, Gunes will be expected to make changes.

Wales

Turkey's population is estimated at about 84 million, or 26 times that of Wales, one of the biggest gulfs in size between any two teams at Euro 2020. Being one of the tournament's smaller teams means Wales are used to playing as the underdog and midfielder Joe Morrell believes that is what builds the kind of team spirit which took the Welsh to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

"I think we're a team and a country that has to be together because otherwise there's bigger nations, there's nations with more money, more people, a bigger pool of players, that are going to be battling us," Morrell said.

"We've got a group of lads here, as in 2016, that are really together. That benefits us in the 90th minute when you look across and you see someone blowing a little bit, as a few were including myself (against Switzerland). It helps drag you through knowing that you're going to do anything for your teammates."

Latest standings

Turkey vs Wales best odds

  • Turkey - 13/9

  • Wales - 49/20

  • Draw - 43/20

View the latest Euro 2021 betting offers

What is our prediction?

Turkey came into the tournament as dark horses and a string of players coming off good seasons at club level. Burak Yilmaz and Zeki Celik won the French title with Lille, while Hakan Calhanoglu had a strong season with AC Milan, as did Caglar Soyuncu with Leicester. That optimism evaporated quickly against Italy, but they should prove too strong for Wales.
Predicted score: Turkey 2 Wales 0