Galatasaray – O. Ljubljana : Preview & Prediction
After a dream first leg saw them run out to a 3-0 away lead, Galatasaray return to Istanbul with one foot in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) playoffs, barring a miraculous comeback from Slovenian rivals Olimpija Ljubljana. Galatasaray are 90 minutes away from punching a ticket to the UCL playoffs to face either Klaksvik or Molde, where their hopes of ending a UCL group stage absence dating back to 2019/20 will be put to the test.
Known as the “Conquerors of Europe” by their own fans, Galatasaray can also rely on a packed Rams Park to help them advance from the round, an atmosphere that has seen them win five of their last six home games (E1) – with all of those victories being accompanied by a clean sheet. Many teams have succumbed under the pressure of facing the Turkish champions, with only Barcelona being able to leave Rams Park with a win in Galatasaray’s last seven home games in European competitions (G4, E2).
Olimpija will not take a defeat in this series for granted after coming so far, with this being their first-ever appearance in the third round of the UCL qualifiers. Despite the thrashing they received in the first leg, they immediately got back to winning ways at the weekend by beating Domzale 2-1 to prove their mettle, but a bigger win will be needed in this match if they are to have any chance of advancing.
The Dragons know the odds are stacked against them, especially considering they have won just one of their last eight away games (E2, P5). If their dreams of qualifying for the UCL end in this round, the road in Europe continues as they enter the Europa League playoffs, where they would face either Qarabag or HJK Helsinki.
Players to watch: Galatasaray’s Dries Mertens has been his team’s main standard bearer of late, scoring in his last two appearances at the European level and riding an eight-game winning streak in a row in games where he saw opposing goals. He will face Olimpija’s #10, Max Elsnik, who could be the player to help his club get the tie in this series as 13 of his last 19 goals have come on the road.
Key stat: Galatasaray has seen the halftime score hold until the final whistle in each of its last nine matches.
Galatasaray – O. Ljubljana : Betting Tips
OVER 2.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
