Galatasaray vs Manchester United predictions: Champions League tips and odds
Our betting expert has three Galatasaray vs Manchester United tips for the Champions League Group A tie in Istanbul (kick-off 5.45pm GMT). Scroll down to see the analysis behind his selections.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United betting tips
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Double beckons for Galatasaray
A collective sigh of relief was breathed by all associated with Manchester United after they won 3-0 at Everton on Sunday, but they face another dogfight against Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Alejandro Garnacho’s early wonder goal eased any nerves as United emerged from the bearpit of Goodison Park with a victory, but they will encounter another hostile atmosphere in Istanbul.
The Red Devils were famously greeted by ‘Welcome to hell’ signs when they visited Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen Stadium in 1993. Tonight’s venue, RAMS Park, is less intimidating but the crowd will still be raucous and it could prove to be too much for Erik ten Hag’s side.
United were woeful in October’s reverse fixture, a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, and after also losing to Copenhagen and Bayern Munich, they prop up Group A on three points.
Galatasaray are third but a win here could take them above Copenhagen, who are away to Bayern this evening, and put them in pole position ahead of their final group game in Copenhagen.
United need to win tonight and probably take three points off Bayern at Old Trafford on matchday six to progress. They have struggled in Europe but will take confidence from their recent domestic form, with five wins from their last six lifting them to sixth in the Premier League.
But the feeling is those results have papered over obvious cracks and, after storming Old Trafford, Galatasaray could take advantage of any nerves displayed by their visitors with a repeat victory.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United tip 1: Galatasaray to win @ 7/5 with Paddy Power
Icardi a man for the big stage
Never too far from the headlines, Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi missed a penalty and scored what transpired to be the winner at Old Trafford.
Icardi subsequently scored the spot against Bayern on matchday four and should have had more, spurning several chances in the first half of his team’s 3-1 home defeat.
The Argentinian is sure to be in the thick of the action and it would be no surprise to see him strike again on Tuesday.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United tip 2: Mauro Icardi to score @ 7/5 with Paddy Power
Early goals kick-start bet builder
First-half goals from Icardi and Dries Mertens in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Alanyaspor ensured Gala have netted before the break three of their last four games in all competitions.
Both teams scored in the first half at Old Trafford and in Gala’s defeat by Bayern. It was also the case in United’s 4-3 defeat in Copenhagen so there could be goals for both sides before the break.
Elsewhere Wilfried Zaha, a player who never quite made it at United, has impressed since joining the Turkish club from Crystal Palace in the summer.
He scored in the win at Old Trafford and assisted Tete’s equaliser against Copenhagen in September. Despite almost a decade passing since he left United, Zaha will still be looking to prove a point.
Finally, highly rated defender Sasha Boey’s strike got Gala back into that 2-2 draw with Copenhagen. He loves going forward but can be ragged in defence.
With five fouls already in this season’s competition, the right-back is worth including to commit two or more fouls to complete our bet builder.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United tip 3: Bet builder: Both teams to score in the first half, Wilfried Zaha to score or assist and Sacha Boey to commit two or more fouls @ 13/1 with Paddy Power
Galatasaray vs Manchester United odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
