Welcome to Extratips: Turkey vs Bulgaria – World Cup Qualifier Match Preview

Get ready for a crucial World Cup qualifier on November 15, 2025, as Turkey faces Bulgaria at home. Kickoff is at 17:00, and both teams are looking to make a statement in Group E.

Match Facts

Turkey is in great shape with 3 wins and 1 loss, sitting 2nd in their group with 9 points. Bulgaria is struggling, ranked last with 4 losses and 0 points. Recent news confirms Turkey's top scorer K. Yildiz (3 goals) is fit, but Irfan Kahveci is unavailable due to injury. Bulgaria reports no key absences.

Odds and Implications

  • Home win (Turkey): 1.11 – Turkey are clear favorites.
  • Draw: 8.50 – Bookmakers see this as unlikely.
  • Away win (Bulgaria): 15.00 – An upset would be a shock.
    Over 2.5 Goals is set at 1.44, suggesting an open game. Both Teams to Score (No) at 1.50 points to a clean sheet likely for Turkey.

Motivation & Standings

Turkey needs a win to maintain pressure on group leaders Spain. Bulgaria, already out, may rotate players or look to rebuild morale.

Recent Head-to-Head (Last 5)

  • 11/10/2025: Bulgaria 1-6 Turkey
  • 08/06/2015: Turkey 4-0 Bulgaria
  • 29/05/2012: Bulgaria 0-1 Turkey
  • 17/08/2005: Bulgaria 3-1 Turkey
  • N/A: No more recent meetings
    Turkey dominates, winning 4 out of 5.

Home/Away Form (Last 5)

Turkey at home: 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
Bulgaria away: 0 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses

Team Strengths & Weaknesses

Turkey:

  • Strength: Scoring power (Yildiz, Aktürkoglu, Güler)
  • Strength: Solid at home
  • Strength: Creative midfield (Çalhanoglu, Güler assists)
  • Weakness: Occasional lapses in defense
  • Weakness: Reliance on top attackers
  • Weakness: Recent injuries (Kahveci)
    Bulgaria:
  • Strength: Grit despite losses
  • Strength: Target man Kirilov can trouble defenders
  • Strength: Counterattack threat
  • Weakness: Defensive leaks (15 goals conceded)
  • Weakness: Poor away record
  • Weakness: Struggling for goals (only 1 in last 4)

Key Factors

  • Turkey missing Irfan Kahveci (injury)
  • Bulgaria fully available

Preview Angles

  • Can Turkey overtake Spain with a big win?
  • Will Bulgaria's new faces rise under zero pressure?
  • Spotlight on Yildiz: chasing golden boot?

Predictions

  • Turkey to win
  • Both Teams to Score – No
  • Over 2.5 Goals
  • Turkey -1.5 handicap
  • Turkey clean sheet

Team Comparison

Turkey are stronger in attack and home record. Bulgaria struggle away and have little to play for. Both teams like to press, but Turkey’s creativity sets them apart.

Match Scenarios

  1. Turkey control from start, win by large margin (High)
  2. Bulgaria defends deep, Turkey edge a low-scoring win (Medium)
  3. Bulgaria find early goal, contest is tighter (Low)