Manchester United vs Galasataray: Champions League Preview and Prediction

Published by William | Filed under Champions League, Manchester United, Predictions, Previews

United are off to a good start in 2012/13

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9/19 19:45 BST, Manchester United vs Galatasaray – Odds | Stats


Champions League Group H comes alive as Champions of Turkey Galatasaray SK travel to Old Trafford Wednesday night to face Sir Alex Fergusson and the Red Devils. Manchester United is out for revenge after last year’s embarrassing group stage exit. Both sides are coming off emphatic 4-0 victories and both will fancy their chances of passing through to the knockout stages.

Manchester United:


Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United are competing in a remarkable 17th successive Champions League group stage. United are currently second in the Premier League standings and trail league leaders Chelsea by only a point. Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa return to the starting lineup after being rested against Wigan. Van Persie has settled right into United’s system and is keeping his critics rather quiet. Tom Cleverley and Jonny Evans may also return for United. Cleverley’s recent performances for both England and Manchester United have knocked the midfielder up the totem pole. Furthermore, Danish Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has not conceded a goal for United and may get the call to start.


37 year old Paul Scholes is not likely to get that start as the Liverpool game looms over the weekend. Wayne Rooney (thigh) and Ashley Young (knee) will not recover in time but will work towards making United’s Liverpool matchup on Sunday. Chris Smalling (metatarsal) and Phil Jones (knee) are still long-term injuries.



Galatasaray:


Fatih Terim’s Galatasaray has not appeared in the Champions League group stage since 2006-07, but will be out for blood against United. History doesn’t bode well for the Turks who, drawing three and losing four, have never won in England. In league play, Galatasaray tops the Turkish Super League tables with 10 points from 4 matches, scoring 12 but conceding a hefty 6 in the process. New additions have added both leadership and raw talent to Turkey’s most popular club. Felipe Melo and Hamit Altıntop have given depth to the squad while Emmanuel Eboué and Milan Baroš add experience.


The most notable player missing is veteran Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi who will probably miss the rest of the season. Engin Beytar may feature finally after having to sit out their four opening league matches due to suspension.

Prediction:


United have won three, drawn once and lost twice at home against Turkish teams. Head to head, the clubs met in the 1994-95 groups, drawing 0-0 in Istanbul before a 4-0 United stomping in England. Before that, the Turks famously kicked United out of the Champions League in 1993 at home in a very problematic atmosphere. Youtube Video here. After drawing 3-3 in England, United were greeted at their Turkish hotel with ‘welcome to hell’ and ‘no way out’ banners. With a 0-0 final result, United were sent packing. While United is nursing a few injuries, Fergie has plenty of talent to choose from and it seems that all of the Red Devil’s new signings have already produced.


Pick:


Manchester United 2 – 0 Galatasaray


Bet of the Match:
Manchester United at 1.33 from William Hill

Bet365