Galatasaray – Anderlecht

Galatasaray and Anderlecht meet in what is already a crucial game in this Champions League group D. With Dortmund and Arsenal as rivals, neither team can afford losing points if they are to challenge for the 2nd place and whoever loses will have a huge handicap in the fight for the 3rd place as well.

Galata made some big name signings again in the hope to win the title and do well in the Champions League. Drogba left but he has been replaced by Pandev, while Dzemaili will be a big factor in the midfield area. The Turks did not have a great start to the season, losing the SuperCup to rivals Fenerbahce at penalties and drawing 0-0 at home with Eskisehirspor over the weekend (after beating Bursaspor). However, Galata had the game with Anderlecht in mind in the weekend and they can also draw positives from the fact that they kept a clean sheet in all three games so far.

Anderlecht were the whipping boys last year in Champions league and will hope to do better this time around, but it will be tough for them. They don`t have the same quality as in the past, barely won the league last season (some would say undeserved) and are looking even weaker this year after selling some players. They have played pretty well this year in Belgium, winning the Supercup and being undefeated after 7 rounds, but they did draw 3 out of 7 matches (including the last two). Mitrovic and the new signing Steven Defour can create danger in attack against any side.

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Team news & lineups

An analysis of the injuries and suspensions will say that Galatasaray has a clean bill of health ahead of this match, while Anderlecht will miss Vanden Borre, Proto and N’Sakala.

Galatasaray: Muslera – Sari, Kaya, Chedjou, Balta – Dzemaili, Melo, Inan – Sneijder – Yilmaz, Pandev

Anderlecht: Roef – Colin, Nuytinck, Mangulu, Deschacht – Najar, Tielemans, Defour, Acheampong – Praet – Mitrovic

Listen, Anderlecht will not go down without a fight here, but I do not see them getting points in Istanbul. Last season Galata reached the Round 16 of the Champions League while Anderlecht took some heavy beatings in the group stage and fact is that the Turks are the better team and most importantly have the home court advantage, which is always key for them. There`s also the health factor, with Anderlecht missing three important players. I reckon Galatasaray to win is the best bet here, I`m not sure they can cruise and cover a handicap but they do have what it takes to get the three points at home. It`s hard to see Anderlecht not conceding at least once in Turkey with their defense, while Galata has a chance to keep a clean sheet considering the way they`ve been defending in this start of the season. According to the analysis my tip is a simple Galatasaray win. Prediction: Galatasaray – Anderlecht 2-0.

Pick: Galatasaray
Odds: 1.77 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.16
Event date: 16 September