Preview: Galatasaray vs Juventus – News, Lineups & Prediction

Rams Park is the venue as Galatasaray and Juventus go head-to-head within the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff tie. Each groups amassed three victories every in the course of the league section, but seven locations separated them within the standings.

Regardless of successful three of their opening 4 league-stage outings, Galatasaray needed to accept a Twentieth-place end. Certainly, Okan Buruk’s aspect faltered towards the top of the primary section, struggling three defeats of their final 4 Champions League matches (D1).

Nonetheless, the reigning Tremendous Lig holders have secured knockout qualification at Europe’s high desk for the primary time for the reason that 2013/14 season. Nevertheless, they’ll be eager to erase the reminiscence of that marketing campaign, as Chelsea ended their continental journey within the first knockout spherical, drawing confidence from a powerful four-game successful streak in all competitions.

Then again, Juventus will likely be out to revive a feel-good issue following a controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter in Saturday’s Derby d’Italia. Referee Federico La Penna got here underneath heavy scrutiny after wrongly sending off Pierre Kalulu within the first half, which condemned Luciano Spalletti’s workforce to a 3rd consecutive winless recreation (D1, L2).

On the brilliant aspect, Juventus fared moderately effectively in the course of the league section, barring a heart-wrenching 1-0 defeat at Actual Madrid on Matchday 3. Certainly, the record-time Italian champions went unbeaten in all six remaining Champions League fixtures this season (W3, D3), securing a decent Thirteenth-place end.

Match Preview

Galatasaray

Regardless of boasting a flawless four-game file in February following a 2-0 loss at Manchester Metropolis of their final Champions League outing, Galatasaray’s European type can’t encourage confidence. Along with failing to win 4 consecutive continental fixtures (D1, L3), Buruk’s misfiring squad drew a clean on three events throughout that underwhelming sequence.

Towards this backdrop, Galatasaray hammered fellow Tremendous Lig rivals Eyupspor 5-1 final Friday, that means they’ve now scored a minimum of three targets in 4 successive matches. That victory allowed the Lions to tighten their grip on high spot within the league desk and sure lifted the hosts’ spirits forward of this high-stakes encounter.

Additional confidence stems from Galatasaray’s first rate residence type on the continental entrance, with the Turkish powerhouse struggling only one defeat throughout their final 11 residence video games in UEFA competitors (W6, D4). Furthermore, they’ve solely misplaced as soon as of their six earlier Champions League conferences with Juventus (W2, D3).

Juventus

The guests received’t be fazed by their historic struggles on this match-up, realizing their final encounter towards Galatasaray dates again to 2013. Nevertheless, only one win from 5 video games (D2, L2) within the build-up to this journey is unlikely to see the Bianconeri take the sector in a buoyant temper, particularly contemplating each defeats in that stretch got here on the street.

Defensive solidity may assist Juventus buck this detrimental development, and after maintaining three consecutive clear sheets towards the top of the league section, they need to really feel optimistic. Moreover, the Turin giants have but to lose a single Champions League match underneath Spalletti (W3, D2), so they need to nonetheless journey with optimism.

Historical past beckons for Juventus right here, provided that they might turn into the first-ever Italian membership to beat Galatasaray in Istanbul. However with 5 of Juve’s final six Champions League fixtures producing underneath 2.5 targets, one other tight and cagey affair might be on the playing cards tonight.

Workforce Information

With former Juventus star Mario Lemina serving a suspension, Gabriel Sara is more likely to be a part of forces with Ilkay Gundogan in midfield. In the meantime, star winger Leroy Sane has just lately resumed full coaching, however he ought to begin from the bench, with Noa Lang anticipated to help talismanic striker Victor Osimhen in assault.

As for Juventus, out-of-form center-forward Jonathan David has joined long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic within the therapy room. With the Canadian ace dominated out, Lois Openda could lead on the road, although utility man Weston McKennie could be Spalletti’s go-to choice. As well as, winter signing Emil Holm is unavailable on account of a foot damage.

Galatasaray vs Juventus Potential Beginning Lineups

Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Gundogan, Lang; Osimhen.

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Miretti, Yildiz; McKennie.

Galatasaray vs Juventus Prediction

Galatasaray have hit a purple patch at the very best second and will likely be seeking to lengthen their indomitable residence file towards Serie A golf equipment. Whether or not morally-plagued Juventus may throw a spanner within the works stays questionable, as we again the hosts to safe a slender first-half benefit.

Prediction: Galatasaray to Win

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