Belgium will look to turn a three-point Nations League start into a statement at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on 2 October, when Turkey arrive in Liège still searching for their first win of the campaign.
The match kicks off at 20:45, with Belgium aiming to remain close to the section’s leading sides after their defeat by France. Turkey face one of the group favourites and travel with the intention of taking at least a point.
De Ketelaere leads Belgium’s attack
Charles De Ketelaere will operate as Belgium’s centre-forward. Having already impressed in that role at the World Cup, he is expected to remain the focal point of the national side’s attack. His ability to combine with team-mates and drop into the spaces between midfield and defence gives Belgium another route through Turkey’s shape.
Belgium are set to begin with Lammens in goal; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy and De Cuyper in defence; Vanaken, Tielemans and De Bruyne across midfield; and Godts, Lukebakio and De Ketelaere in the forward line.
The available Belgian replacements are Vandevoordt, Penders, Debast, Theate, Lavia, Lukaku, Trossard, Openda, De Winter, Seys, Fofana and Raskin.
Arda Güler carries Turkey’s creative burden
Turkey’s hopes will rest heavily on Arda Güler, whose close control, passing range and shooting technique make him the side’s principal creative threat. He is expected to play behind the attack as Turkey attempt to unsettle the home side.
Turkey’s starting team is expected to feature Çakir; Abdülkerim Bardakci, Çelik and Demiral; Kadioglu, Bartug and Yuksek; Aktürkoglu; with Güler, Yilmaz and Oguz Aydin further forward.
Bayındir, Şengezer, Topçu, Özcan, Demir, Deniz Gül, Fakili, Eren Elmali, Kabak, İrfan Can Kahveci, Akgün and Eskihellac are available from the bench.
For Belgium, the night offers the chance to restore momentum after France. For Turkey, it is an opportunity to break their winless run on difficult away ground and alter the direction of their group campaign.
