Galatasaray vs Man Utd tips and predictions: Goals, corners, cards and chaos
- George Dempsey
- 28 November 2023
Galatasaray and Manchester United will meet in a must-win Champions League fixture at Rams Park early on Wednesday.
It’s been a tough season for Manchester United, but it looks as if they may have turned a corner. The Reds have won three in a row without conceding in the league.
Nestled amidst that the run that’s elevated them to sixth, however, was a complete capitulation in a 4-3 loss against Copenhagen.
Erik ten Hag’s side could be eliminated on Wednesday if they’re beaten at the Venue Rams Global Stadium and to rub salt into the wound, they could be consigned to fourth place.
Goals from Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Akturkoglou and Mauro Icardi showed the Turk’s class as they twice came from behind to stun Old Trafford in October.
That remains their only win in four in the group so the pressure is on the hosts as much as the visitors, but it’s unlikely to show in the circumstances.
Istanbul is famed for its ferocious atmosphere, so United’s 3-0 win at a rebellious Goodison Park might have been the perfect warm-up.
A goal-of-the-season contender just three minutes in helped silence the Evertonians and although a 3-0 win looks pretty on paper, United lost out on xG.
The Blues laid siege to Onana’s goal with 24 shots but the Cameroonian was in top form as he swatted away 1.73 of Everton’s 2.47xG.
Okan Buruk’s side have found the net in 32 straight games at home and each of their previous seven Champions League games, so a clean sheet is off the table.
It’s hard to predict which version of United will turn up accurately but above all, it’s hard to shake the image of them crumbling under pressure in Denmark. A win feels fanciful.
If you’re looking for a safe bet then you’ll want to consider the cards market. There have been 19 yellow cards brandished in Gala group groups, plus two reds, one of which was shown to Casemiro.
It’s also worth noting that both teams are averaging over 9.5 corners in the Champions League this season, so that could be a worthy build-a-bet addition.
Team news
The hosts have a clean bill of health and should field several names familiar to Premier League fans, such as Davison Sanchez, Lucas Torreira, Hakim Ziyech and Zaha.
Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho are ruled out while Jonny Evans is a doubt.
Crucially, Marcus Rashford’s red card in Copenhagen means he is suspended.
Key stats
- Galatasaray have scored at least one goal in 32 consecutive home games.
- Man Utd have lost their last three visits to Turkish teams in Europe.
- The Red Devils are winless in six of nine away to Turkish sides.
