Prediction: Galatasaray vs Tottenham Hotspur

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 27/10

Bookmaker: BetUS

Aiming for a fourth consecutive Europa League victory, Tottenham Hotspur head to Istanbul to face Galatasaray at Rams Park on Thursday evening.

Spurs occupy second place in the 36-team standings, with Galatasaray close behind in fifth, trailing by just two points.

Galatasaray

While Galatasaray’s Europa League start hasn’t matched Tottenham’s flawless run, they’ve still secured seven points from three games, offering fans plenty of excitement with at least four goals scored in each match.

They opened with a 3-1 win over PAOK at home, clinching victory with two late goals, but then surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Rigas Futbola Skola in Latvia. Their latest outing saw them edge Elfsborg 4-3 in a thrilling home encounter.

Okan Buruk’s team has now extended its unbeaten streak across all competitions to 11 games (W9 D2) following a 2-1 derby win over Besiktas, moving eight points clear atop the Turkish Super Lig with a game in hand.

Before hosting second-placed Samsunspor on Sunday, Galatasaray will turn their attention to the Europa League, aiming to strengthen their bid for a knockout-stage spot for the third time in four years with a victory over Spurs.

However, success against English teams has been rare for Galatasaray, who have won just one of their last six such encounters (D2 L3)—a 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in last season’s Champions League.

Team News

Galatasaray have only one confirmed absentee, as left-back Ismail Jakobs remains out with a knee injury. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, however, returns from his European suspension and is expected to start in goal.

Former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez, who recently scored against Besiktas, will likely partner Abdulkerim Bardakci at center-back. In midfield, ex-Arsenal player Lucas Torreira is set to line up with Gabriel Sara, a summer signing from Norwich City.

Star forward Victor Osimhen, currently on loan from Napoli, has netted four goals in his last three games and is expected to start, either alongside or in place of top scorer Mauro Icardi, who has scored six goals so far this season.

Tottenham Hotspur

Back in the Europa League after a four-year absence, Tottenham Hotspur are one of only three teams—alongside Lazio and Anderlecht—to have taken a full nine points from their first three group-stage games this season.

Their campaign began with a 3-0 win over Qarabag despite being reduced to 10 men, followed by a 2-1 away victory against Ferencvaros. Most recently, Richarlison’s penalty secured a narrow 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar.

Currently tied with Lazio atop the 36-team table, Spurs have also risen to seventh in the Premier League, following a comeback 4-1 win against Aston Villa last weekend. They have now won six consecutive home games across all competitions, netting 17 goals and conceding only four. Their Europa League form in North London has been dominant as well, winning their last eight home matches by an aggregate score of 26-2, with six consecutive clean sheets.

However, Tottenham aim to avoid a third successive away defeat in all competitions on Thursday, and their last trip to Istanbul ended in a 1-0 loss to Besiktas in December 2014.

Team News

Tottenham’s Richarlison was sidelined with a hamstring injury after the Aston Villa win and will join fellow hamstring injury sufferers Micky van de Ven and Wilson Odobert in the treatment room.

Cristian Romero, who exited early against Villa due to a foot issue, is a major doubt for the clash in Turkey, while Djed Spence faces a late assessment as he nears a return from a groin injury.

Should Romero be unavailable, Ben Davies is expected to step into central defense alongside Radu Dragusin. Ange Postecoglou may also look to bring James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner, and Mikey Moore back into the lineup.

Conclusion

Both Galatasaray and Tottenham enter Thursday’s clash on a high and will be optimistic about their chances, with Galatasaray especially eager to capitalize on the passionate support of their home crowd, which is likely to create an intimidating environment for Spurs.

With Postecoglou potentially without his preferred centre-back pairing and likely to make some additional rotations, Galatasaray could exploit these gaps and secure at least a point, putting an end to Tottenham’s winning Europa League run.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 27/10

Bookmaker: BetUS