Van Persie Netherlands
Netherlands striker Robin Van Persie celebrates after scoring against Hungary in their World Cup qualifier, October 11Reuters

Turkey go into a do-or-die encounter against the Netherlands hoping for their partisan home crowd to back them up and spur them towards the playoffs of the 2014 World Cup.

Holland have already qualified for the World Cup in Brazil, and come up against a Turkey side which have been inspired to three straight victories, courtesy that magic man Fatih Terim.

The Turkey coach, though, needs one more win to ensure his side make at least the playoffs, and even if it is against the giants of Holland, Terim is confident of a positive outcome.

Turkey are currently second in Group D with 16 points, the same number as Romania, who face Estonia in their final qualifier. Hungary, on 14 points, also have an outside chance of finishing second, if results go their way.

"We must focus on the Netherlands game without thinking of Romania's game," Terim told a news conference. "Our players can manage everything. We have to turn this into teamwork.

"If the result is not as we hoped, which is also possible, the national team will prepare for European Championship. We will accept this reality. We have to achieve balance where defeats or victories do not cause us our sense of reality."

Terim called on the fanatical Turkish supporters to help pull their side past Holland. "We are very hopeful as the whole country," the former Galatasaray manager added. "Our supporters in the stadium must be very tolerant. We want them to be on the side of our players when they make mistakes.

"People must imagine their targets. We did not forget the good times in Euro 2008. We have to give our best tomorrow (Tuesday). We are aware that our performance up to date has not been good enough."

Holland coach Louis Van Gaal, though, has warned Turkey of the upcoming game, and believes Romania are the favourites to finish second, because he expects his side to finish the group unbeaten.

"(Romania are favourites). You know why? Because we will defeat Turkey," Van Gaal said. "We will do our very best to beat them. "I said that already after our first game against Turkey, they are the best after Holland in our group.

"It's funny that they are actually second at the moment. On the other hand, I could be wrong in the end. Because we really want to defeat Turkey to get points for the Fifa ranking."

Where to watch

The game is scheduled for an 11.30 p.m. (IST) start with no live telecast scheduled.

Expected lineups: Turkey: Demirel; Gonul, Kaya, Toprak, Erkin; Topal, Inan; Gonul, Turan, Tore; Bulut, Yilmaz.

Netherlands: Krul; Janmaat, Bruma, Vlaar, Blind; De Jong; Strootman; Robben, Van Der Vaart, Robben; Van Persie.

Prediction: 2-2