Yahoo Sports Austria vs Turkey: Preview, predictions and lineups
The final last 16 tie of Euro 2024 takes place this Tuesday as Austria battle Turkey for a place in the quarter-final.
Ralf Rangnick's side have been one of the success stories of the tournament so far, topping a challenging group that contained both France and the Netherlands. Their intense, high-octane approach has won over neutrals and they have a wonderful opportunity to reach the final eight of a major tournament, which is something they failed to do at Euro 2020.
Turkey also accumulated six points in the group stage but couldn't usurp Portugal, who beat them 3-0 in their second outing in Germany. However, during wins over Georgia and Czechia, Vincenzo Montella's men showed glimpses of their potential, even if they head into their quarter-final meeting with Austria as slight underdogs.
One of the reasons behind that tag may be a friendly meeting between the teams back in March. Austria ran out incredible 6-1 winners as Michael Gregoritsch bagged a hat-trick.
Here is 90min's guide to Austria vs Turkey at Euro 2024.
Austria vs Turkey H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Last meeting: Austria 6-1 Turkey (26 March 2024) - International friendly
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Austria vs Turkey on TV and live stream
Austria team news
Austria have no fresh injury concerns for the clash with Turkey but they will be without Patrick Wimmer for the last 16. The Wolfsburg man, who started the 3-2 win over the Dutch, is suspended having picked up two yellow cards in the group stage.
Austria have a concerning eight players one yellow card away from missing the quarter-final should Rangnick's side make it past Turkey.
The former Manchester United manager did make some alterations to the starting lineup against Netherlands and they paid dividends. Alexander Prass replaced Philipp Mwene at left-back, while Romano Schmid came in on the flank and dazzled with a goal in a wonderful performance.
Austria predicted lineup vs Turkey
Austria predicted lineup vs Turkey (4-2-3-1): Pentz; Posch, Lienhart, Trauner, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Schmid, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautovic.
Turkey team news
UEFA's strict suspension rules have had an enormous impact on Turkey ahead of their last 16 battle, with skipper and key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu sidelined after picking up two yellows in the group stage. He is joined by the suspended Samet Akaydin.
After their fiery clash with Czechia last time out, Turkey now have ten players who are a booking away from missing the quarter-final. Among them are the exciting attacking duo of Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
The good news for Montella is that he has no injury concerns to deal with. Mert Gunok returned between the sticks against Czechia, while Guler was fit enough to feature from the start after a minor injury.
Turkey predicted lineup vs Austria (4-2-3-1): Gunok; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Ozcan, Yuksek; Akturkoglu, Guler, Yildiz; Yilmaz.
On paper, this is perhaps the most evenly-matched last 16 tie we have. However, Austria's impressive group stage campaign makes them favourites at the Red Bull Arena. If nothing else, we should see an exciting match between two talented attacking teams.
However, Austria's intensity may triumph. They've found goals relatively easy to come by and should overrun Turkey given the two sides play similar formations, with Austria's core of Bundesliga star perhaps coming out on top. Calhanoglu will prove a huge miss for Turkey.
