Turkey welcome Croatia to the intimidating surroundings of their Turk Telecom Arena in Istanbul on Friday night. The first leg of their Euro 2012 play-off promises to be a tight affair, with Turkey the most marginal of favourites at industry best priced odds of 11/8 with Stan James, while Croatia are priced 9/4.
Croatia though are 4/6 favourites to qualify from the tie after the second leg and take their place at Euro 2012, while Turkey are 11/10 to go to the Ukraine and Poland next summer.
We fancy Turkey look good value to take a slender lead into the second leg as their home form has been excellent of late. The hostile atmosphere that will be created in Istanbul will no doubt give them an advantage and they have won six of their last seven competitive home matches.
That sole defeat came against an excellent Germany side during qualifying, a result which meant they eventually finished second to the Germans in Group A. Guus Hiddink's side secured their place in the play-offs with a narrow 1-0 win over Azerbaijan, but expect them to improve from that match.
Trabzonspor's Burak Yilmaz starts at tempting odds of 6/1 to be first goalscorer on Friday and that could be worth a look as he has scored two in his last five international appearances, scoring the first goal both times.
Turkey must do without the injured Nuri Sahin this week though as they look to continue a fine run of form that has seen them lose just one of their last eight. Five of those eight matches have involved under 2.5 goals and under 2.5 is 8/13 on with StanJames.com for what is likely to be a tight affair.
Croatia, who have never lost a two legged play-off tie, go into the match looking for revenge for their stunning penalty shootout loss to Turkey at the Euro 2008 Championships. Slaven Bilic remembers the defeat well and he will be hoping Eduardo can continue his fine recent scoring form.
The former Arsenal striker has scored three in his last three for the national team and is 7/1 to score first, although it is worth noting that Croatia have failed to score in four of their last five away matches.
Their away form in general has been pretty woeful as they have won just one of their last five, with that sole win coming against Malta. During that time they have lost to the likes of Greece and Georgia, and we fancy the look of Turkey to win with a clean sheet at odds of 14/5 with StanJames on Friday.
Bilic's men finished second to Greece in Group F during their qualifying campaign and they have something of an injury crisis with Mladen Petric, Ivan Strinic, Niko Kranjcar and Dejan Lorren all out.
Turkey could well take advantage and the correct score of 1-0 to Turkey can be backed at odds of 11/2, although whether that is enough to see them qualify remains to be seen as they will face a tricky trip to Croatia for the second leg.
- Please visit our dedicated Euro 2012 mini-site for more stats, standings, fixtures, odds and betting news.
Turkey v Croatia Form
Check the season's statistics for both Turkey and Croatia, plus the odds ahead of Friday's match.
Turkey v Croatia Tips
Tip #1: Turkey to win the match @ 11/8 with StanJames.com
Tip #2: Burak Yilmaz to score first @ 6/1 with StanJames.com
Tip #3: Under 2.5 goals in the match @ 8/13 with StanJames.com
Match Odds
11/8 Turkey
11/5 Draw
9/4 Croatia
To Qualify Odds
11/10 Turkey
4/6 Croatia
Correct Score Odds
11/2 Turkey 1-0
9/1 Turkey 2-0
8/1 Turkey 2-1
13/2 Draw 0-0
9/2 Draw 1-1
12/1 Draw 2-2
7/1 Croatia 1-0
14/1 Croatia 2-0
9/1 Croatia 2-1
First Goalscorer Odds
6/1 Burak Yilmaz
13/2 Umut Bulut
7/1 Eduardo
7/1 Halil Altintop
15/2 No Goalscorer
15/2 Ivica Olic
15/2 Mario Mandzukic
8/1 Nikola Kalinic
8/1 Arda Turan
8/1 Nikica Jelavic
9/1 Colin Kazim-Richards
Odds supplied by StanJames.com, who provide a variety of betting markets, including in-running betting, for all Euro 2012 play-off matches.
Posted: Thursday, 10th November 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: european championship, turkey, croatia, burak yilmaz, stan james,
 | England U21 V Iceland U21 Odds Back Stuart Pearces Side In The Handicap Betting England odds on favourites for under 21 qualifier | 9th Nov |
 | Estonia V Ireland Odds Back A Draw In The Playoff Betting Rep of Ireland are unbeaten in nine matches | 9th Nov |
 | Czech Republic Odds On To Beat Montenegro In The Euro 2012 Playoff Betting Bosnia take on Portugal in their first leg match | 9th Nov |
 | Cyprus V Scotland Odds Kenny Miller The Man To Back To Score First Goal Scots Favourites for Win in Nicosia | 9th Nov |
| St Johnstone V Aberdeen Odds Betting Predicts A Winning Start For Steve Lomas St Johnstone favourites at McDiarmid Park | 7th Nov |
Headline News
 | Leeds Rhinos V St Helens Odds Michael Shenton A Good Bet To Score First Try Rhinos Odds On At Headingley |
 | Bonfire Clipped In The Latest Epsom Derby Betting Following Key Trial Win 2000 Guineas Winner Camelot Remains Favourite |
 | Barcelona Head The Betting For The 2013 Champions League Defending Champions Chelsea Only Fifth Favourites |
 | West Ham Odds On To Stay Up On Return To The Premier League Next Season Hammers Short Priced For A Bottom Half Finish Though |
 | As Semi Finals Approach Who Is Favourite In The Voice Betting Odds Could Bo Be A Dark Horse? |
BRAND NEW £250 free bets offer.
Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower
£25 free bet with William Hill.
Open Account - Claim £25 Free With William Hill
Claim a massive £50 free bet with teh leading bookmaker Ladbrokes
Open Account - Free £50 Bet at Ladbrokes
The UK based bookmaker Betfred is now offering a £50 free bet for new clients.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Betfred
New £50 free bet offer.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Coral
BetVictor is offering £100 in free bets to all new clients.
Open Account - Open Account - Free £100 Bets With BetVictor
Up to £200 worth of free bets with Bet365.
Open Account - Claim £200 Free With Bet365
Those looking for some online casino entertainment ought to check out all the latest UK Casino Sign Up offers from the top operators including 32Red and many of the sports betting casinos.
There is excellent information, should you be interested in playing online blackjack, roulette, the best progressives or slots - Online Casino Betting with the best introductory offers
Bookmark This Page