Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Volleyball Women's World Championship match.
Turkey travelled to the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship as one of the favourites. The squad has the 2023 Volleyball Nations League title and consistent results against top opponents behind it. Canada are regarded as a mid‑tier side, but it is important to note that they have already qualified from the pool. Turkey have also qualified.
Turkey (women)
Turkey sit in the top three of the world rankings, and their recent success is no accident: they play cohesively, have depth on the bench, and possess a quality serve. Recent defeats have only come against Italy, Brazil, and Serbia. The Turkish have won ten of their last fifteen matches. In attack, Ebrar Karakurt and Hande Baladın stand out, while Eda Erdem Dündar is reliable in reception. At the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, the minimum target for Turkey is a medal.
Canada (women)
Canada have different objectives. In the Volleyball Nations League, they lost 0:3 to Turkey and also fell to Japan and Brazil without mounting a serious challenge. The team is heavily reliant on a couple of leaders, which is not enough against top opposition, so in many matches the overall quality is lacking. Over the last ten fixtures there have been four wins, but only against opposition of the level of Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica. Head to head against Turkey, the Canadians have lost ten of the last eleven meetings.
Turkey (women) vs Canada (women) Prediction
The gulf in class is substantial. Turkey are stronger in all departments, and they should win in straight sets thanks to a powerful serve and genuine variety in attack. With market sentiment firmly behind the favourite across the board, we will take Total Under.
