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Both Champions League and Europa League qualification is at stake when Galatasaray hosts Juventus in a crazy atmosphere in Istanbul, Champions League group B. Juve has 6 points, Galata 4 points, Copenhagen 4 points. Real is already qualified from the first position with 13 points.
Galata very dissappointing so far despite having a squad filled with stars. They started the league very poor and still have not recovered completely, having mixed results. Fourth place and 9 points behind Fenerbahce pretty much ends all title hopes but the turks do have this game against Juventus with hope to advance to the next stage of the Champions League. In the previous meeting Galata snatched a 2-2 draw in Torino, but since then Juventus is playing better and better. Galatasaray without Altintop for today.
Galatasaray lineup: Muslera – Zan, Guiselam, Chedjou – Eboue, Melo, Inan, Riera – Sneijder – Yilmaz, Drogba
The italians have 8 wins and 1 draw in the last 9 matches, failing to win only against Real Madrid (2-2 at home). Juve scored at least 2 goals in 7 of these 9 matches. If the visitors carry their excellent form into this game they have every reason to be confident of getting the desired result against this shaky Galatasaray side. A draw would be enough for Juventus to advance. Juventus will miss Pepe and Pirlo for today, of course Pirlo is a big absentee. Vucinic is doubful.
Juventus lineup: Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini – Lichsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah – Tevez, Llorente
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
The mathematics is simple in this group, Galatasaray needs to win to gain qualification in the UCL knockout stage, or they need to get the same result (or better) as Copenhagen gets against Real Madrid in order to advance to the Europa League. Juve is qualified with a draw, but the players stated that they are coming to win the game.
Galatasaray is playing horrible defensively, allowing 14 goals so far in this group. They need to attack and get the win so Juventus will have chances on counters for sure. Juve is scoring over 2 goals per game in average this season and they have every chance to punish the poor Galata defense on breaks. Juve has a good defense (allowed just 1 goal in last 5 matches), but the turks are also capable of scoring at home, having a devastating front line with Sneijder, Yilmaz and Drogba. I can see this game having more than 2.5 goals, similar to the 2-2 result in the first leg. Even though there`s very much at stake and this usually results in cautious matches, the fact is that Galata needs to attack and they can not defend to save their lives. Also at any point in the game somebody will need to score to qualify, so there is no result that will satisfy both teams to lower the tempo. Both teams have 4 games with over 2.5 goals from the 5 they each played in the group.
Galata will try to put pressure and it is logical to expect them to have their chances to score with their excellent attack and home court advantage, and on the other hand I see Juventus abusing the poor Galatasaray defense both on counterattacks and positional attacks. A repeat of the score in the previous meeting (2-2) is not out of the question. I will pick the over 2,5 goals bet. I like the price offered by the bookies and I am not surprised that it is going downhill right now.
Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.76 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 6.84
Event date: 10 December
Editor Facts
- Ocean is 1 for 2 in tips in December
