Barcelona – Galatasaray : Preview & Prediction
The last direct confrontation between Barcelona and Galatasaray was in the 2002-2003 season… Twenty years ago, the Catalan club won the group stage with ease by scores of 2-0 and 3-1. Barça are favourites for the reunion in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The current third-placed team in La Liga has been looking very attractive for the last month and a half… This is in line with the arrival of Xavi and new recruits, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored five goals in seven games for his new club. The Spanish coach’s team is coming off four big victories in Valencia (4-1), Napoli (4-2) in the Europa League, Athletic Bilbao (4-0) and Elche (2-1) last weekend. After returning from injury, Dutch international Memphis Depay has scored two goals in two games. The partnership with Aubameyang should be very effective, and Galatasaray should pay a high price for it. The Turkish club is only 12th in its league and has been disappointing since the beginning of the season. Babel’s team-mates have just suffered their 11th defeat in the Super Lig on matchday 28 at the hands of Konyaspor (2-0). Galatasaray had already won twice at Goztepe (3-2) and at Rizespor (4-2). Without Feghouli, Yilmaz and Turan in the attacking sector against Barcelona, Galatasaray should sink in Catalonia and experience its first failure on the European scene.
Barcelona are on a 4-game winning streak, including La Liga and Europa League.
The +2.5 goals have been scored in Barcelona’s last 4 games.
Galatasaray have conceded 6 goals in their last 3 games, 2 goals per game.
The Turkish club have won just once in their last 10 away games in all competitions.
Barça eliminated Napoli (1-1 and 4-2) in the previous round.
Barcelona have become more ambitious in the game and have scored 14 goals in their last four games. They will be looking to hurt a Turkish defence that has conceded 41 goals in 28 games in their league. The Catalans should take a big step towards qualification at the end of this first round!
Barcelona – Galatasaray : Betting Tips
OVER 3.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
