Croatia vs Turkey

Opus Arena forms the backdrop for a top-table UEFA European Championship 2024 Group D six-pointer between Croatia and Turkey.

Croatia’s bid to maintain a 100% Euros qualification ratio in the 21st century has been off to a near-perfect start, with Zlatko Dalic’s side racking up a three-game winning streak since a 1-1 home draw against Wales in their curtain-raising Group D fixture. Another stalemate could be on the cards, considering each of the three previous internationals they’ve hosted against Turkey has ended level. Those draws form part of Croatia’s impressive H2H record against the Turks (W3, D5, L1 – 90 minutes only), suggesting the ‘Checkered Ones’ could get a step closer to booking their Euro 2024 tickets at a sold-out stadium in Osijek. There’s a good reason Croatia fans have been quick to grab all available tickets, as the 2018 World Cup runners-up have never lost a home Euro qualifier (W28, D9) since gaining admission to UEFA in 1993.

On the other hand, Turkey can hardly afford another slip-up following a stomach-wrenching 1-1 home draw against Armenia if they’re to reach the Euros for only the sixth time in the nation’s history. Despite starting this round second in the group, the visitors boast a fragile three-point lead on closest followers Armenia and Wales, highlighting the importance of staying unbeaten in Osijek. However, the ‘Crescent-Stars’ have traditionally fared well in away Euro qualifiers, suffering just one defeat across their last 11 such fixtures (W7, D3). Stefan Knutz’s men have also won both road matches in the ongoing qualifying cycle despite conceding on each occasion. But a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Japan in a friendly last time out puts the emphasis on Turkey’s defensive frailties ahead of this ominous-looking trip.