Galatasaray vs Manchester United betting tips: Champions League preview, predictions, team news and odds

Galatasaray vs Manchester United recommended bets

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Galatasaray vs Manchester United

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Galatasaray vs Manchester United

November 29, 2023

5:45 pm GMT

Galatasaray vs Manchester United match preview

Manchester United’s Champions League aspirations are hanging by a thread, meaning defeat in İstanbul is simply not an option.

Three weeks ago, Erik ten Hag’s team were beaten 4-3 in Copenhagen, despite leading 2-0 early through Rasmus Højlund’s brace, before Bruno Fernandes’ penalty fired the Red Devils back in front.

However, they were always up against it, following Marcus Rashford’s red card, and simply ran out of steam by the end, with København scoring twice in the final seven minutes to snatch victory at Parken.

This leaves Manchester United rock bottom of Group A, having lost three of four matches in this group, conceding 11 goals; only Celtic and Royal Antwerp have shipped more after matchday four.

In Man United’s first 293 European Cup/Champions League matches, they only conceded four or more in a game on three occasions: vs Athletic Club (1957), A.C. Milan (1958) and Barcelona (1994).

This season alone, it’s already happened twice, also beaten 4-3 in Munich in matchday one.

So, defeat here would see the Red Devils eliminated from this competition and, potentially, see them finish rock bottom of a UEFA group for only the second time.

Galatasaray meantime had never won on English soil in ten attempts prior to October’s 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, in which Wilfried Zaha scored against his former side, before Mauro Icardi was the late hero.

That is actually the only victory Okan Buruk’s team have enjoyed in this campaign, subsequently beaten both home and away by run-away group winners Bayern Munich.

Nevertheless, victory here would leave the record 23-times champions of Türkiye on the cusp of reaching the knockout phase for the first time in a decade, ahead of their own trip to the Danish capital in a fortnight.

Domestically, Galatasaray are not top of the Süper Lig, despite having won 11 of their 12 outings, with a recent defeat at Hatayspor seeing fierce rivals Fenerbahçe overtake them on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are the Premier League’s form team, with Sunday’s impressive, commanding 3-0 victory at Goodison making it five victories from six outings.

This game will always be remembered for Alejandro Garnacho’s astonishing second minute bicycle kick, which is one of the best goals you’re ever likely to see.

Here, this’ll be the Red Devils’ fourth visit to İstanbul to take on Galatasaray and, to date, they’re yet to win or even score a goal.

The most-famous of these encounters came three decade ago, made famous by the ‘Welcome to Hell’ banner, with Man United only managing a goalless draw that night, thereby knocked out on away goals.

Will all involved expirence a sense of déjà vu at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi?

Galatasaray team news

Galatasaray’s squad features an array of former Premier League players, including Wilfried Zaha, who was on target at Old Trafford in October, before bagging his sixth of the season against Alanyaspor on Saturday.

Other familiar faces set to feature include Davinson Sánchez, Tanguy Ndombele, Lucas Torreira, Hakim Ziyech and Dries Mertens.

Their main man for goals though is Mauro Icardi, who’s on 16 for the campaign already, five of which have come in the Champions League, including qualifiers.

Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera will make his 480th appearance for the club, still a long way short of Bülent Korkmaz club-record of 588, part of the team that beat Man United 1-0 in İstanbul 11 years ago.

Manchester United team news

Marcus Rashford is suspended, following his red card at Parken, while Lisandro Martínez, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Amad are all sidelined.

Rasmus Højlund, who’s actually the joint-top scorer in this season’s competition, exclusively netting in defeats, is also a doubt, having missed the weekend win at Everton.

If he’s not fit Anthony Martial, who’s most-recent Champions League goal came just 14 miles away against İstanbul Başakşehir in 2020, will lead the line.

In good news on the injury front, Luke Shaw made his first appearances since August on Sunday, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also fit again too.

18 year old Kobbie Mainoo was the star of the show at Goodison so, three days on from his full-Premier League debut, the 18 year old will see action in the Champions League for the very first time.

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