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Galatasaray and FC Astana square off in a match that will decide the third place in the Champions League group C. No team has any chance of reaching a top 2 spot, but Galata (4 points) will end up third with a win or a draw, while Astana (3 points) will finish third with a win. Galata just appointed Mustafa Denizli as manager this week.
Galata finally got a win over the weekend after a very difficult period and it was a convincing, morale boosting 3-0 success over Bursaspor. Today’s hosts haven’t played up to standards for most of this season, but still have a shot at the title in Turkey and will finish third in this group with at least a draw, so things are not all that bad. Galatasaray will hope the win against Bursaspor will help them raise their level today, as earlier in the Group Astana played a competitive match against them – a 2-2 draw, which Astana arguably dominated, even if they barely equalized in the 90th minute.
Astana’s 3 points courtesy of 3 draws are not a bad result at all for the visitors in this year’s Champions League and they are still in with a chance to finish 3rd. However, all 3 draws were at home, where they are traditionally strong. On the road, Astana lost 2-0 to Benfica and 4-0 to Atletico Madrid, while also failing to win any of their three qualifying games (draws against APOEL and HJK, plus a loss in Maribor). It has to be said that the visitors won the domestic league a number of weeks ago (lost the cup final), so they can focus on Champions League and this really is the match of the season for them.
Bet on Galatasaray vs. Astana in the Champions League with the best odds at 18Bet.
Team news & lineups:
Hamit Altintop, Lionel Carole and possibly Selchuk Inan are out for the hosts, while Astana has no injuries or suspensions and can field the best lineup.
Galatasaray: Muslera – Sabri, Kaya, Chedjou, Hakan Balta – İnan, Kısa – Podolski, Sneijder, Öztekin – Yılmaz
FC Astana: Erić – Ilić, Postnikov, Aničić, Shomko – Maksimović, Cañas, Dzholchiyev, Twumasi, Kéthévoama – Kabananga
The question which remains is if Galatasaray can be trusted at odds 1.50 in the Champions League. While I don’t think Galata is the most trustworthy team, I really don’t believe Astana can do a job on the road in this competition – particularly not under such big pressure in front of such a hostile atmosphere. They did get some scrappy draws at home, but playing in Kazakhstan was a big advantage for them and some teams did seem to take them lightly. On the road, they did not show anything and we can include the qualifying stages here. Astana was simply useless, scoring just once in 5 road games (2 draws, 3 losses).
Quality is on Galata’s side, but experience and home court advantage could be the biggest factors here. I expect the hosts to win and achieve a comfortable qualification to the Europa League. The fact that Astana needs a win, so they have to open up a bit, also works in Galatasaray’s favor – especially as Galata would theoretically be satisfied with a draw. With Astana more offensive, it’s unlikely Galata will just defend and play the draw, particularly at home. My tip is a Galatasaray win with a 1 goal asian handicap. Prediction: Galatasaray – Astana 2-0.
Pick: Galatasaray (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.93 @ 18Bet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.51
Event date: 8 December
