Liam Duckstein
Croatia U18 and Turkey U18 meet at Brann Stadion in Bergen on June 3, with both sides playing in the International Friendly 2026 June phase. The interesting angle here is that Turkey entered this tournament with a commanding 4-0 win already behind them, placing them third in the standings, while Croatia arrive without a single competitive appearance in the last 30 days. Coach Marijan Budimir’s side has been active in May-level friendlies, beating Wales, Sweden, and Ukraine in relatively convincing fashion, but they step into this one cold by recent competitive standards. Turkey’s Veli Kavlak, on the other hand, has a squad that has been on the pitch more recently and carries genuine momentum.
Two players worth tracking in this fixture are Turkey’s attacking contributors from the 4-0 win that opened their tournament campaign. That scoreline signals a side with real cutting intent at this age group level. On the Croatian side, the forward who led the 3-0 win over Sweden U18 will be a threat worth monitoring, as Croatia have shown they can build and finish effectively when given space.
Hot stat: Turkey U18 scored four goals in their only tournament match so far in this June phase, making them the joint-highest scoring side alongside Brazil and Germany across all teams that have played one game.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Friendly 2026, June Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 03.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:45 CEST |
Croatia U18 vs Turkey U18 Prediction
Turkey U18 are the stronger pick here. Their recent form is tighter and more active, they have a 4-0 result in this very tournament to their name, and their world ranking (4415) is considerably better than Croatia’s (19194). That ranking gap at youth level is not insignificant. Croatia have been winning friendlies against lower-ranked opposition, but Turkey’s test against Portugal and Spain in April suggests they have been tested at a higher level.
We predict a Turkey U18 win. Croatia’s preparation form is positive, but the gap in competitive sharpness and ranking quality points clearly in Turkey’s favor. A low-to-moderate scoring match is plausible given both sides tend to be organized at this age group level, though Turkey’s firepower makes a clean sheet for Croatia unlikely.
Both teams have shown they can score in recent outings. Croatia found the net in each of their last five matches, and Turkey’s 4-0 opening suggests their attack is clicking. This points toward goals from both ends, though Turkey’s defensive structure has looked solid enough to limit Croatia to one or perhaps two.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Turkey U18 to Win & Over 1.5 Goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Croatia U18 enter this match off a busy stretch of friendly activity in May. They beat Wales U18 1-0, Sweden U18 3-0, and Ukraine U18 2-0 in three consecutive matches, showing a consistent ability to control and win against mid-range opposition. The 0-0 draw with Italy U18 earlier in the campaign reflects a side that can defend when required. Their overall form string shows a team capable of winning runs, though they have also had dips with consecutive losses scattered through their recent history.
Turkey U18 have been less active in May but their two April Luxembourg fixtures and the April losses to Portugal and Spain show they have been tested at a high level. Their most significant result recently is the 2-1 win over Hungary U18 in June, which was their last recorded match before this fixture. Hungary carry a solid youth ranking, and winning 2-1 against them is a respectable result. Turkey’s overall form shows a competitive record with wins and draws dominating, though they have had some inconsistency with back-to-back losses appearing periodically.
🚨Check out our dedicated Croatia U18 vs Turkey U18 stats page for more info.
Once odds are posted, Turkey to win should offer reasonable value given the ranking gap and their sharper recent form. A BTTS market is also worth considering given Croatia’s scoring record across their last five outings.
Possible Starting Lineups
No individual player data was available in the dataset for Croatia U18. Coach Marijan Budimir is expected to field a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape based on common Croatian youth setups. The forward line will be key, given Croatia’s recent scoring form against Sweden and Ukraine. Players who featured prominently in those May wins should retain their spots here.
No individual player data was available for Turkey U18 either. Coach Veli Kavlak has shown a preference for an attacking setup, evidenced by the 4-0 tournament win. A 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 structure is likely. The players who contributed to that four-goal haul are the ones to watch, and Kavlak is unlikely to rotate heavily given the competitive stakes of this phase.
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TipsGG Match Prediction
Turkey U18 are the pick here. Their ranking is significantly better, they carry a 4-0 tournament win into this match, and their most recent result against Hungary showed they can grind out wins in tighter games too. Croatia have been winning friendlies, but those victories came against lower-ranked sides and the level of opposition does not compare to what Turkey have faced.
We predict a Turkey U18 win, with goals at both ends making BTTS a solid secondary market. Croatia’s attack is live enough to find one, but Turkey have too much going for them to be held here. To be honest, the ranking gap alone is enough to back Turkey with confidence, and their tournament momentum only adds to that case.
