Prediction: Galatasaray vs Molde

Verdict: Mauro Icardi to score anytime

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Now just 90 minutes away from punching their Champions League group stage ticket, Galatasaray will welcome Molde to Rams Park for their second-leg showdown on Tuesday night.

Galatasaray

Starting with the hosts, while Galatasaray might have been hoping for a far more routine first-leg display on foreign soil last week, the Turkish heavyweights firmly find themselves sat in pole position heading into Tuesday’s showdown at Rams Park. Eventually claiming a 3-2 victory following a dramatic last-gasp winner, Okan Buruk will simply be calling on his squad to finish off their qualifying job here. Making more domestic history last season as they got their hands on a first Super Lig crown since back in 2014, the Istanbul-based outfit should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Continuing on from where they left off back in June, the midweek hosts have now won each of their last three appearances across all competitions. Likewise, unbeaten in each of their first seven showdowns since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Galatasaray have also gained a reputation for their continued success at Rams Park, In fact, continuing on from their pre-season preparations, Buruk’s side have won seven of their previous eight contests in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Despite serving a suspension out in Norway last week, one-time Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is free to make a full return on Tuesday night. Likewise, making the move from Chelsea this summer, Hakim Ziyech could make a full debut in midweek.

Bagging a first-leg strike on foreign soil last week and now notching four goals in his previous three appearances, former PSG superstar Mauro Icardi will spearhead Buruk’s charge here. The Argentina international will be joined in the final third by ex-Napoli ace Dries Mertens.

Molde

As for the visitors, suffering major first-leg heartbreak on home soil last week following a gritty performance at the Aker Stadion, Molde will certainly know that they have a huge challenge on their hands here. Gaining a reputation for their inconsistencies over the past few weeks and rightfully tipped as a clear underdog on Tuesday night, the Norwegian champions have now managed to muster just a single win from any of their last five appearances across all formats. Freefalling out of their domestic top-three chase and clearly seeking some recent stability, Molde have also gained a reputation for their continued struggles on the road. Including a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of HJK while on European duties earlier in the year, it should be highlighted that the midweek guests have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their last six contests away from the Aker Stadion – a run that stems back to June 7th.

Team News

Dealing with a pair of injury issues, Molde are still sweating over the fitness of Martin Linnes and Veton Berisha when they travel out to Turkey on Tuesday night. Although Eirik Haugan might still be serving a domestic ban, the 26-year-old is free to feature here.

Although 33-year-old Magnus Wolff Eikrem might have notched just a single strike in any of his last nine appearances across all competitions, the one-time Seattle striker will once again partner Ola Brynhildsen in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg meeting in Norway last week, Galatasaray picked up a last-gasp 3-2 victory on foreign soil.
• Continuing on from their pre-season preparations, Tuesday’s hosts have won seven of their last eight showdowns at Rams Park.
• Ex-PSG striker Mauro Icardi has notched four goals in just his last three appearances across all formats.
• Molde have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Norwegian champions have won just one of their last eight Champions League contests on foreign soil within 90 minutes.

Conclusion

Eventually snatching that stunning last-gasp winner out in Norway last week, Galatasaray will know that they are just 90 minutes away from punching their Champions League group stage ticket. Opening Tuesday’s second-leg showdown holding a marginal one-goal advantage, the Turkish record-breakers will certainly be calling on their attacking talisman to make another statement here. Watching Icardi bag a first-leg strike on foreign soil last week and now notch four goals in just his previous three appearances across all competitions, the former PSG star will be confident of cashing in on a Molde squad that have shown some extended European issues on foreign soil.

Verdict: Mauro Icardi to score anytime 

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet