- Date: Tuesday November 29 – 17:45 GMT
- Location: Rams Global Stadium, Istanbul
- Teams: Galatasaray vs Manchester United
Check out the best betting sites for the UEFA Champions League to find the best place to make your picks.
Three way fight for last 16
With Bayern Munich having dominated the group there is a three way battle for second place in the group, and a place in the last 16, and the consolation prize for third place and an opportunity in the Europa League.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray came from behind to bear Alanyaspor at the weekend and sit second in the league table. In the Champions League, the Turks have four points from as many group games. Galatasaray are only behind second placed Copenhagen on goal difference. Their final group game is away to Copenhagen, who they will be hoping lose to Bayern Munich in this round of fixtures. Their only win was the 3-2 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. At home, they lost 3-1 to Bayern and drew 2-2 with Copenhagen. They are strong at home, with the loss to Bayern being their only defeat in their last 16 at Rams Global Stadium in all competitions.
Columbian Davinson Sanchez suffered a grade two hamstring injury in the second half against Alanyaspor, ruling the former Tottenham player out against Man United. Another defender, Abdulkerim Bardakci suffered an injury in training on Friday and could not take part against Alanyaspor, but he is reportedly making progress and could well be fit to be involved. Victor Nelsson is likely to come in if Bardakci – who started alongside Sanchez against Bayern – needs more time to recover, and having scored twice against Alanyaspor, Dries Mertens could restrict Kerem Akturkoglu to the bench.
Manchester United
While much of the focus upon Manchester United has been the amount of matches they have lost and their disappointing performance level, what has been overlooked has been the amount of wins they have also racked up, especially away from home, the latest of which was a 3-0 success at Goodison Park against Everton on Sunday. They are yet to draw this season. Consistency and fluency may be lacking, but the Red Devils have enough quality players to pick up wins without playing particularly well. They are well in contention for the European places in the league and while the Champions League campaign has been disappointing they can still make the last 16. However, defeat in Turkey would make this impossible and a passage into the Europa League would be ruled out if Copenhagen were to somehow upset the odds and beat Bayern.
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Amad Diallo (knee), Mason Mount (calf), Jonny Evans (thigh), Christian Eriksen (knee) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) are all on the sidelines for the Red Devils. Antony is also aconcern after a knock kept him out of the Everton match. Rasmus Hojlund also missed the win at Goodison, though he was close to being over his thigh injury and is likely to be involved in Istanbul. Marcus Rashford, sent off against Copenhagen, is suspended.
Prediction
Galatasaray are strong at home and Manchester United have pulled off some good away results this season. The Old Trafford outfit are yet to draw this season and the law of averages suggests this will happen soon. However, I do not think it will happen against Galatasaray. Really United need a win and I think that they will do enough to get one. Away win. Both Teams to Score might be another good bet.
Check out the best betting sites for the UEFA Champions League with Betting.com.
