- Australia have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches, losing 1-0 to Mexico away and drawing 1-1 with Switzerland at home.
- Turkey have won eight, drawn one and lost just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, including a 4-0 home win over North Macedonia and a 2-1 away win over Venezuela.
- Turkey have won four and drawn one of their last five away matches, scoring 2.8 goals per game on average.
Montella's masterclass making Turkey masters
Turkey are on a red-hot four-game winning streak and have been scoring at an amazing rate on the road, netting 14 goals in their previous five away games. Vincenzo Montella's new approach is working wonders on this side, and has turned Turkey into a more creative, possession-based side.
Montella's men have a fluid front four and the creative spark of Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz providing constant problems for the opposition when playing with possession. This has given the game a more control-style identity, but their attacking quality and fluidity of rotation between the lines means they can also score goals on the transition.
Australia will try to absorb pressure with a well-disciplined back line before springing their youthful, pacey attackers on the break, so this is a control vs transition matchup. Tony Popovic's tactical reset appears to be working after his side's shaky start to life in Australia, with their defence and structure much better, and we should see them look to frustrate the Turks on Sunday.
Turkey can edge a tense Group D clash
Australia have won three and drawn one of their four home games, but will they be able to keep it tight outside of Australia in Vancouver's BC Place? It is here that they face Turkey, so it is unlikely the Socceroos will be able to take as much control of the game as they would like.
Australia are a different side to the team that played at the last World Cup and have more pace and directness in the attacking third, but I still think Turkey's extra creativity and momentum will see them edge this clash. The odds about Turkey to win is a bit on the short side at 1.74, but I'm going to take it because they should have enough to win and Australia will make them work hard for it.
I'm backing both teams to score at 1.9 here, however, as Australia's counter attacks should keep this game alive at both ends. Turkey's attacking quality is simply too good, however, and I can see them breaking through at will. So, I'm also going for Total Score Over 2.5 at 2.01.
