Big chance for Norway to stake WC claim awaits
Norway and Turkey meet on Saturday in the Scandinavian nation, having both won their opening FIFA World Cup qualifying matches with relative comfort, albeit against vastly different opponents in Gibraltar and the Netherlands respectively. The victory by Løvene was perfunctory, and also came at the potential cost of having captain Martin Ødegaard out of their decidedly trickier second game with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, 35 year old striker Burak Yılmaz rolled back time with a sublime hat-trick against Oranje, and with Frank de Boer severely underperforming in his role, there is a big chance for one or both of the other sides in Group G to hold them at arm's length in the scramble for Qatar. Read our preview here:
Alexander can conquer
It's always notable when Erling Haaland fails to score in any match he now features in, and despite getting off eight shots against Gibraltar, he indeed did not succeed with any of those efforts. However, even against limited opposition, Norway proved they have more than two strings to work with; Kristian Thorstvedt, son of goalkeeping legend Erik, ran the midfield, and is unusual in his position by being dominant in the air as well, which is a great attribute to have in both open play and from set pieces. He deserved his goal in midweek, and his partner in crime Fredrik Midtsjø was similarly impressive. Up top alongside Haaland is RB Leipzig frontman Alexander Sørloth, who has mainly been utilised as a super sub at club level. Here though, he'll seek to take some of the pressure and attention off his strike partner, and he has the height and dribbling ability to really worry the Turkish defence in his own right.
Hakan out more moments of genius
Naturally, Yılmaz took the plaudits for his devastating trio of goals against a shambolic Dutch outfit, but he wouldn't have had half the opportunities he was afforded without the guile and creativity of Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The AC Milan playmaker could be a difference maker on Saturday as well, especially given Şenol Güneş' men will have the numerical advantage in midfield. Norway cannot allow him to operate in between the lines to feed the lone frontman, and doubtlessly Ståle Solbakken and his backroom staff will have watched back footage of the ridiculous amount of space afforded to him in the first game. The central defensive duo of Ozan Kabak and Çaglar Söyüncü will have to significantly up their performance levels to keep Haaland at bay, too.
Springy Norway far from Ståle
On paper, this looks like another closely fought contest that promises at least a few goals. The hosts are likely to shorn of much of their creativity without Ødegaard in the picture, so the onus will fall on the strikers to lead from the front and give major headaches to the Turkish rearguard. betway have odds of 2.30 for Norway to make it two wins from two.
