Turkey vs Spain Prediction: Both teams to score in Group E showdown

Both Turkey and Spain started their pursuit of qualification for the upcoming World Cup with wins on the road as Group E foe Georgia and Bulgaria were both dispatched on Thursday evening. The two top teams in the group face one another on Sunday night (19:45) with Amazon Prime Video streaming the match in the UK.

Our Spanish football expert Mark Sochon got the assignment for this one. He has put together his full match preview and his two Best Bets as he takes us through his Turkey vs Spain Predictions...

After winning their opening matches on the road, Turkey and Spain face off in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier on Sunday. The outcome may go a long way to deciding who wins Group E. 

Having reached the Nations League final, Spain are already guaranteed a play-off spot, but victory in Konya would leave them well on course for direct entry into a tournament that they are the favourites to win. 

They kicked off their qualifying campaign in impressive fashion. It took just five minutes for Luis de la Fuente's side to break the deadlock in Sofia on Thursday night. Mikel Oyarzabal put them in front against a limited Bulgarian side, and Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino put the result beyond any doubt by the interval. 

The only disappointment from a Spanish perspective was they failed to add to their 3-0 half-time advantage. This was a more assured defensive performance though, with Bulgaria failing to test Unai Simón once across the 90 minutes. 

La Roja had conceded at least twice in all of their previous five internationals. While none of those games resulted in defeat, with the exception of their penalty shootout loss to Portugal in the Nations League, that is one area where they do look vulnerable at times. 

A new central defensive partnership between Dean Huijsen and Robin Le Normand is still a work in progress. The return to fitness of Rodri should also help offer more cover to the backline, although Martín Zubimendi was preferred in the holding midfield role in Sofia. 

Whoever starts in the position on Sunday will likely be tasked with trying to limit the influence of Arda Güler. The golden boy of Turkish football has established himself in the Real Madrid side this season under Xabi Alonso, and he was impressive for his national team in midweek. 

Güler crossed in for Mert Müldür to head Turkey in front against Georgia, after only three minutes in Tbilisi, and they raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to a brace from Kerem Aktürkoğlu. However, their hosts had spells of pressure in the game, and came close to mounting a stunning fightback with goals from Zuriko Davitashvili and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia not enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat. 

In what is only a four-team group, Turkey would put themselves in a very strong position should they upset the European champions on Sunday. Vincenzo Montella's side were themselves Euro 2024 quarter-finalists, and this is a tough group given Georgia also reached the knockout stage at that tournament. 

The hosts are clearly enjoying one of their strongest periods in recent years. They only lost one of their eight Nations League matches last season, seeing off Hungary 6-1 over two legs in a play-off to clinch promotion to League A. They've not lost a home fixture since March 2023, when they were beaten 2-0 by Croatia in a Euros qualifier. 

Team News: 

Turkey look to have come through their trip to Tbilisi without any injuries. Montella may be tempted to name the same lineup on Sunday. That would mean a 4-2-3-1 system, with Güler and skipper Hakan Çalhanoğlu both capable of offering a genuine goal threat from deep positions. 

Spain's initial squad for this international break was hit by the injury withdrawals of Yéremy Pino, Gavi and Fabián Ruiz. Lamine Yamal also suffered a minor back injury against Georgia, but the 18-year-old winger is expected to be fit for this game. 

De la Fuente should therefore have the option of also naming an unchanged lineup, with Oyarzabal currently in favour and in form up front. However, Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Dani Olmo are options if the Spain boss decides fresh legs are needed. 

Match Odds:

You can bet on our World Cup markets via our World Cup Odds page on the main betfred.com website.

The visitors are priced at 8/15 to win this game, while you can back the Draw at 10/3. If you fancy Turkey to upset the Euro 2024 winners, the hosts are available at 5/1 to win the match. 

Spain are on offer at 13/8 to score over 2.5 goals, meanwhile you can back them to score in both halves at 11/10. They are also priced at 5/2 to win both halves. 

Alternatively, punters can back Turkey or Draw in the Double Chance market at 6/4. The hosts are also on offer at 15/8 to win either half. 

Oyarzabal is priced at 11/8 to score anytime. The Real Sociedad forward has scored four goals in his last four internationals, with captain Álvaro Morata relegated to the bench as a result. You can also back Yamal to get on the scoresheet at 11/8, while Mikel Merino, who had five shots in Sofia, is priced at 11/4. 

From a home perspective, Aktürkoğlu looks the most likely goal threat. Following his brace against Georgia, the Fenerbahçe frontman is on offer at 10/1 to score first, and 3/1 to strike at any time. 

You can bet on this match via our Turkey vs Spain Odds page on the main betfred.com website, with all the latest prices and full betting markets.

Bet 1 - Both teams to score @ 4/6 

While Bulgaria showed little ambition in midweek, all of Spain's other internationals in 2025 have delivered on the entertainment front. All four produced at least two goals for each team, and there's reason to think we could get another really exciting game here. 

Turkey's best chance of pipping La Roja to top spot in this group is to make best use of home advantage, and what's likely to be a hostile atmosphere in Konya, by claiming three points from this match. Anything less would likely leave them having to win the return fixture in Iberia, which would clearly be a tough task. 

It is in Montella's nature to send his side out to attack, and if there's a vulnerability to this impressive Spanish side, it is in defence. Given that, I can see this match producing goals, and I'm backing Both teams to score at 4/6. 

Bet 2 - Arda Güler 1+ shot on target, Lamine Yamal 2+ shots on target & Nico Williams 1+ shot on target @ 7/2 

Three of La Liga's biggest young stars should feature prominently in this game. Even at just 18 and 20 years old, respectively, Yamal and Güler have already emerged as the standout players in their national teams.  

Both are taking on more and more responsibility. Yamal hit the target three times before being replaced in the 79th minute in Sofia. He's also taken 19 shots in just three matches so far this term in La Liga. Meanwhile, Güler has had two attempts in each of his last three games for club and country, hitting the target with half of them. 

Nico Williams also thrives on the space he often gets playing for Spain. The Athletic winger is averaging exactly four shots per game in 2025 for his national team, with 50% of those hitting the target. 

Given that, I'm taking advantage of a Price Boost, to back Arda Güler 1+ shot on target, Lamine Yamal 2+ shots on target and Nico Williams 1+ shot on target at enhanced odds of 7/2. 

Mark Sochon P/L 25/26 Season:

• Points Staked: 18
• Points Returned: 22.92
• P/L: +4.92