Prediction: Galatasaray vs Olimpija Ljubljana

Verdict: Galatasaray win to nil

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to finish off their Champions League qualifying adventure on Tuesday night, Galatasaray will welcome Olimpija Ljubljana to Rams Park in midweek.

Galatasaray

Starting with the hosts, putting in a rampant display on foreign soil last week as they breezed their way to a first-leg 3-0 victory, Galatasaray will know that it would take a major collapse to prevent them from extending on their Champions League qualifying adventure. Appearing to storm their way to the group stage without breaking much of a sweat, the Turkish heavyweights will simply be hoping to lay down another marker when they return to Rams Park on Tuesday night. Although Okan Buruk’s men might have been disappointed over the weekend as they were forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Kayserispor while on domestic duties, the one-time Sivasspor boss will be excited by his side’s recent defensive success. Including that routine 3-0 romp in Slovenia, Galatasaray have now recorded a clean sheet in each of their previous three appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Coming off the bench and finding the net in Slovenia last week, 23-year-old Halil Dervisoglu will be hoping for a full recall here. Likewise, returning attacking ace Mauro Icardi should make his first start of the season on Tuesday night.

Now bagging a pair of strikes in his last three appearances across all competitions, former Napoli superstar Dries Mertens will likely keep his spot and join Icardi in the final third.

Olimpija Ljubljana

As for the visitors, putting in a downbeat display on home soil last week as they slumped to that routine 3-0 drumming, Olimpija Ljubljana will know that they are seeking a major qualifying nightmare here. Blown away at the Stozice Stadium and failing to lay much of a blow on the Turkish icons, Joao Henriques’ men should be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here. While the Dragons might have claimed a domestic boost over the weekend as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win against Domzale, the Slovenian champions have shown some extended issues at the back. Including that first-leg 3-0 loss last week, the former Santa Clara boss has remarkably seen his side muster just a single clean sheet from any of their last 10 straight appearances across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to a 1-0 friendly victory against Hajduk Split on July 2nd.

Team News

Both settling for a spot away at Domzale over the weekend, the duo of Rui Pedro and Admir Bristric will certainly make a full return on Tuesday night.

Ex-Derby midfielder Timi Elsnik will once again lead out Olimpija Ljubljana at Rams Park. Tim Max Elsnik should be partnered with 25-year-old Ivan Posavec at the heart of Henriques’ midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown in Slovenia last week, Galatasaray picked up a thumping 3-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Tuesday’s hosts have recorded three clean sheets in each of their last three appearances across all competitions.
• On the flip side, Olimpija Ljubljana have mustered just one clean sheet from their last 10 outings – a run that stems back to July 2nd.
• Former Belgium international Dries Mertens has notched two goals in his previous three appearances across all formats.
• Continuing on from last season, Galatasaray have won five of their last six appearances on home soil.

Conclusion

Breezing their way to that routine 3-0 first-leg victory on foreign soil last week, Galatasaray will simply be looking to make another qualifying statement on Tuesday night. Still holding a fearsome reputation for their success in Turkey, Buruk’s men have won five of their last six showdowns at Rams Park and are rightfully tipped as a runaway contender here. Meeting an Olimpija Ljubljana squad that have continued to show some rather glaring defensive struggles, a similar outcome to their first-leg meeting last week can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: Galatasaray win to nil

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet