Galatasaray (Tur) vs Young Boys (Sui) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2024-08-26 19:00.
[p]Twenty-four time Turkish Super League winners Galatasaray have it all to do in this UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off second leg against Young Boys, as they trail 3-2 after last week’s clash in Bern. A place in the new league stage of the competition is on the line, and having had the weekend off from their league duties, Galatasaray’s full focus has been on this game and ensuring they reach the UCL proper for the second season running. [/p]
[p]They overcame the play-off round in the last campaign, and with a near-perfect home record against Swiss opposition (W7, D1), they ought to be confident of doing so this term too. Just one defeat from 14 historical UCL home qualifiers (W11, D2) will only reinforce that belief, and having featured in the Champions League proper on 17 occasions – one less than all the other Turkish clubs combined – there’s an expectation they’ll get the job done here. [/p]
[p]The equation for Young Boys is much more simple – avoid defeat and a place in the inaugural UCL league phase is theirs. The 17-time Swiss Super League winners are bidding for back-to-back UCL group/league phase participations for the first time ever, but despite Galatasaray’s formidable home record at this stage, Young Boys boast some pedigree of their own, having never been beaten by Turkish opposition (W2, D1). [/p]
[p]That includes a win on their sole visit to Turkey back in 2010 when they beat Fenerbahçe, but away wins in this competition are something of a rarity. The Swiss side have only ever won three UCL away games (D6, L15), and having made a tragic start to their Swiss Super League title defence which sees them sit bottom of the table after five matches, this tie is far from over. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Michy Batshuayi netted both of Galatasaray’s first-leg goals – six of his last eight club strikes have arrived beyond the 55th minute. Young Boys’ JoĂ«l Monteiro was also at the double in Bern last week with his first-half brace meaning he’s either opened or closed the scoring in his last five scoring appearances – all of which ended in victory. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Eight of Galatasaray’s last nine UCL games saw both teams score and over 2.5 match goals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]