Galatasaray take on Juventus in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off at home on Tuesday. While Gala finished 20th in the league phase, Juve finished 13th, with both sides winning only three of eight games.
Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray are coming off a 5-1 home win over 10-man Eyupspor in the Turkish Super Liga at the weekend. Former Serie A striker Mauro Icardi starred with a hat-trick as Cimbom remain three points clear at the top with a third straight win.
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However, attention now turns to the continent, where Buruk’s side are coming off a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in their final league phase game. Cimbom were eliminated in the play-off round last season, failing to reach the competition proper, after a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Young Boys.
Meanwhile, Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus are fresh off a 3-2 defeat at Serie A leaders Inter Milan at the weekend. Despite playing for more than 45 minutes with 10 men, the Bianconeri were seven minutes away from a draw before conceding a 90th-minute winner.
Spalletti’s side – who drew goalless at Monaco in their final league phase game – had finished 20th in the Champions League phase last season, losing 4-3 on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven in the knockout play-offs.
On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Galatasaray-Juventus Champions League showdown at Rams Park.
Galatasaray vs Juventus head-to-head stats and key numbers
- In six meetings in the Champions League, Galatasaray lead Juventus 2-1, winning their last clash 1-0 at home in the competition’s erstwhile group stage in the 2013-14 edition.
- Cimbom are on a three-game unbeaten run in the fixture, winning twice, both at home.
- Galatasaray are unbeaten in five competitive home games, winning the last three.
- The Bianconeri have won once in their last five road outings, losing thrice, including the last two.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Galatasaray: W-W-W-W-L; Juventus: L-D-L-W-D
Galatasaray vs Juventus prediction
The two sides have had similar campaigns, especially in Europe, where they struggled in the league phase, finishing outside the top eight, meaning they need to navigate the play-offs to reach the knockouts.
Galatasaray hold a narrow head-to-head advantage in the Champions League over Juventus, winning their last two meetings at home. The Bianconeri have a superior pedigree in the competition, but considering their poor recent form, we expect a share of the spoils.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-1 Juventus
Galatasaray vs Juventus betting tips
Tip-1: Draw
Tip-2: Both sides to score
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals (Five of their six meetings have had at least two goals.)
Edited by Bhargav