Malmo FF vs Galatasaray prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 17:45.
[p]It’s proving to be a season of very contrasting results for Malmö, who once again romped to the Swedish Allsvenskan title, but on the European front, they’re very much struggling. Heading back into UEFA Europa League (UEL) action this midweek, the hosts find themselves on a three-match losing streak in the competition’s league phase, a stint which means that they start this round outside of the top-24. [/p]
[p]They welcome Galatasaray looking to improve their fortunes then in their first meeting with the famous Turkish outfit, though Malmö will be buoyed by the fact that they’ve won three of their four home games against Turkish sides overall (L1). What’s not as encouraging though is the fact that the Swedish champions have lost each of their last five home UEL matches without even scoring in the process! [/p]
[p]That’ll give visiting Galatasaray plenty of confidence then, as too will the fact that they’ve announced themselves as one of the UEL’s strongest sides this term. So far they remain unbeaten through their opening five league phase outings (W3, D2), whilst topping the charts for shots attempted (111), with their average of 22 per game acting as the most by a side in a single UEL season since 2009/10.[/p]
[p]That attacking output has been the bedrock of their success both in this competition and in the Turkish Super Lig, which they top after 14 league fixtures (W12, D2). In fact, Gala have only been kept off the scoresheet in two of their 22 competitive fixtures so far this season and with 17 of those matches witnessing the Turkish side score 2+ goals, they should feel confident of cementing their top-eight UEL position with another victory here. Â [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Isaac Kiese Thelin struck 15 goals across 26 Allsvenskan outings for Malmö this campaign, and should feel confident of netting again here after scoring in his only prior H2H. Barış Alper Yılmaz continues to be Galatasaray’s lucky charm, as his side have won 15 of their last 16 matches during which he’s scored since December 2022 (D1), including a matchday three UEL win against Elfsborg. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Three of Galatasaray’s last four UEL matches have seen the match opening goal come before the 15th minute. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]