Georgia’s hopes of upsetting the odds at Euro 2024 will rest on the shoulders of 23-year-old poster-boy Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The Napoli forward’s mesmeric dribbling skills and direct running will make him a nightmare opponent for each of Georgia’s Group F foes.

Kvaratskhelia was among the top 10 most-fouled players during Euro 2024 qualification, earning his side 21 free kicks across his nine appearances, an average of 2.33 per game.

The Georgian whizzkid was also drawing an average north of two fouls per 90 in the most recent Serie A season, so he is likely to receive some rough treatment from his Turkish markers.

One player who is likely to be tasked with keeping tabs on the aforementioned Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is Turkey’s Zeki Celik.

The Roma right-back averaged 0.83 fouls per game during the Crescent Stars’ qualifying campaign, he also collected three yellow cards.

With Celik almost certain to be crossing paths with Georgia’s talisman, the Turkish defender looks a likely candidate to fall foul of the referee once or more.

After getting himself on the scoresheet in Turkey’s final friendly fixture before Euro 2024, Barıs Alper Yılmaz is expected to lead the line on Tuesday evening.

While the Galatasaray forward managed just one goal during qualifying, averaging just 0.57 shots on target per game, he was used sparingly across the early stages of the campaign.

However, since Vincenzo Montella took charge of the national team last September, Yilmaz has operated in a more central role.

Given that Georgia were giving up an average of 5.40 shots on target per game during qualifying, Yilmaz looks a strong contender to test the Georgian goalkeeper at least once.

Hakan Calhanoglu will be pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Turkey. The classy playmaker is capable of coming up with flashes of magic to unlock any defence.

Having registered 16 goal involvements in 32 appearances for Inter Milan during the most recent Serie A season, the Turkish captain should head into this clash full of confidence.

It’s also worth noting that Calhanoglu is a set-piece specialist, and he is also expected to be the Crescent Stars’ designated penalty taker.

With Turkey expected to dominate possession during this Group F curtain-raiser, they could rack up plenty of corners against a stubborn Georgia outfit.

Vincenzo Montella’s men earned eight corners in their most recent friendly fixture away at Poland and prior to that they managed to hit five away at Italy.

While Georgia should put up stiff resistance, they are unlikely to be too adventurous in the final third, so they should be assigned plenty of defensive work.

The Crusaders conceded six or more corners in each of their two qualifying games away from home against both Scotland and Norway, and a Turkey team that are of a similar standard can follow suit.

While this may be Turkey and Georgia’s opening game of the tournament, the outcome of it could have huge consequences in terms of qualification.

As such, there is a chance tempers could boil over during this Signal Iduna Park showdown.

Turkey’s games during qualifying were averaging 6.63 cards per-game, while Georgia’s fixtures were featuring 5.50 per 90.

What’s more, referee Facundo Tello has a reputation for being a strict official, so all the ingredients for a fiery-tempered affair appear to be in place.