Galatasaray vs Elfsborg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-22 14:30.
[p]Unbeaten and on four points ahead of round three in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League (UEL), Galatasaray host Elfsborg at Rams Park on Wednesday. Okan Burukâs side come into this fixture after winning successive domestic league games âto nilâ and are unbeaten across all competitions (W7, D2) since they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the play-off stage at the end of August.[/p]
[p]Galatasaray are also unbeaten across their last four home UEL group/league (W3, D1) matches but having also been drawn away against Malmö in this league phase, will be desperate to improve their H2H record with Swedish clubs. Youâd have to go back to 1976 to find the last time they won a clash against a Swedish opponent, with six subsequent H2Hs yielding no victories (D2, L4).[/p]
[p]Elfsborg have never taken on a Turkish side before but they will make the trip to Istanbul with confidence and targeting a second win in a row against an established European name after they beat last seasonâs semi-finalists, Roma, 1â0 in round two. Those unexpected three points not only moved the Yellow Ones up the league but also gave them their first group/league phase victory since the 2013/14 season.[/p]
[p]Despite that significant result at the start of the month, Elfsborg have been struggling in the Allsvenskan and have lost both subsequent matches, 4-1 away at Sirius and 3-1 at home to HĂ€cken on Saturday. Considering they were also beaten 3-2 in their opening UEL fixture away at AZ Alkmaar, manager Oscar Hiljemark will have his work cut out if he is to return back from Turkey with another surprise victory in this tournament.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Yunus AkgĂŒn has scored in both of Galatasarayâs UEL group matches so far this season, with both goals his teamâs second in the game. Simon Hedlund got a goal and an assist in Elfsborgâs last UEL away match, making it the third European game heâs contributed to goals on the road in this campaign, qualifying rounds included.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Galatasaray have opened the scoring in their last five home games across all competitions.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]