Prediction: Galatasaray vs Manchester United

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a must-win Champions League showdown for both Galatasaray and Manchester United, the Red Devils will travel to Istanbul on Wednesday evening.

Galatasaray

Starting with the hosts, making what was a rampant return to winning ways over the weekend, Galatasaray will be desperate to make another Champions League statement. Picking up some perfect momentum on their return from November’s international break as they cruised their way to a 4-0 romp against Alanyaspor, Okan Buruk’s side have continued to gain a string of plaudits since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Making real history last season as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2019, the Turkish heavyweights now have their sights firmly set on punching a Champions League knockout stage ticket. Picking up a famous 3-2 victory when they travelled to Old Trafford last month, Wednesday’s hosts will also be excited by their continued purple patch in Istanbul. In fact, along with winning four of their last five showdowns at Rams Park across all competitions, it should also be highlighted that Galatasaray have suffered just a single competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since way back on April 5th.

Team News

Making a rare start on Saturday afternoon, Tottenham loanee Tanguy Ndombele will be hoping to keep his spot at the heart of Galatasaray’s midfield here. Notching four goals in as many appearances on either side of November’s international break, Wilfried Zaha will feature against his former club in midweek.

Once again finding the net against Alanyaspor over the weekend and continuing to shine since making a permanent return to Istanbul over the summer, ex-PSG superstar Mauro Icardi will spearhead Buruk’s charge on Wednesday evening.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have come under plenty of scrutiny since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the Premier League giants are enjoying a recent flurry. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they marked their return from November’s international break with a 3-0 romp away at Everton, Erik ten Hag’s men will be more than aware that they face a must-win showdown here. Opening up Wednesday’s showdown sat rock-bottom of the Group A table and collecting just three points from their four Champions League appearances, the former Ajax boss will take some solace from his side’s recent success away from Old Trafford. Including that routine 3-0 victory away at Goodison Park a few days ago, Manchester United have won four of their previous five appearances on the road – a run that stems back to their 4-3 loss at the hands of Bayern Munich back on September 20th.

Team News

Still dealing with what is a stacked injury list, Manchester United will travel to Istanbul on Wednesday night without the likes of Johnny Evans, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Not making a single start across any competition over the past month, former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane will likely have to settle for another spot on the bench here.

Bagging a first Premier League strike since the start of September away at Everton over the weekend, England international Marcus Rashford will once again lead ten Hag’s attack on foreign soil.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Champions League showdown on October 3rd, Galatasaray picked up a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.
• Likewise, the Turkish giants have suffered just a single competitive defeat on home soil since the start of April.
• However, including a 3-0 victory away at Everton over the weekend, Manchester United have won four of their last five showdowns away from Old Trafford.
• Mauro Icardi has bagged 16 goals in his first 21 appearances across all competitions this season.
• Seven of Galatasaray’s last eight showdowns at Rams Park have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Watching Galatasaray land a famous 3-2 victory when they travelled to Old Trafford last month, neutrals could be treated to another thrilling affair here. With both sides knowing that they face a must-win showdown on Wednesday evening, chances could come thick and fast in midweek. It should be highlighted, with the Turkish icons seeing seven of their previous eight showdowns at Rams Park finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome from Istanbul.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet