Manchester City face one last hurdle in their quest to finish in the Top 8 of the League Phase.
And anything but a victory over Galatasaray at the Etihad would almost certainly result in Pep Guardiola’s side having to partake in the dreaded Champions League play-offs.
Lest we forget, ex-City stars Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane are currently shining at the Istanbul club, and will be out to inflict European misery on their former employer.
So, can the Citizens avoid the extra jeopardy, and ease their own schedule as we approach the business end of the season? All will be answered tomorrow on an 18-match Champions League night!
Here is our full Manchester City vs Galatasaray preview, and we have picked out some more tips based on the latest Champions League odds online.
And if multiple selections on this fixture catch your eye, remember that you can combine them into one handy wager with Bet Builder, part of NetBet’s offering which helps you play your way!
Where can I watch Manchester City vs Galatasaray in the UK?
Manchester City vs Galatasaray will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 6, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.
Manchester City vs Galatasaray Preview
Recent results
City’s 3-1 loss at Bodo/Glimt last time out was a hammerblow to their prospects of finishing in the Top 8, leaving them 11th in the table – though at least level on 13 points with the five teams above. The Citizens beat Real Madrid 2-1 away from home in the previous European fixture, but suffered a 2-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 5.
However, Guardiola’s men enter this match on the back of a 2-0 triumph over Wolves at the Etihad, which ended a four-match winless run in the Premier League – including the 2-0 loss to rivals Manchester United.
Galatasaray bounced back from a 1-0 loss at AS Monaco on Matchday 6 to record a credible 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last week, and sit 19th in the table with a play-off place close to guaranteed. However, they mathematically cannot break into the Top 8. In terms of other results this term, the Turkish side previously beat Ajax 3-0 away from home, but also suffered a 5-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening game.
Domestically, Gala are seven matches unbeaten in the Super Lig and sit top of the table, although a 2-0 loss to Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Cup final earlier this month was far from ideal.
Head-to-head record
Interestingly, this is the first-ever meeting between the sides in any competition!
Team news
City’s January signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are ineligible for this match, but Nico Gonzalez has returned to training and should be available. Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Mateo Kovacic are all still on the treatment table, leaving Guardiola with limited first-team resources.
Gala are missing Enes Buyuk, Wilfried Singo, Arda Unyay and Metehan Baltaci due to either injury or suspension. But Sane, Gundogan and talismanic striker Victor Osimhen are all set to start against City’s makeshift back-line – which should feature youngster Max Alleyne, who had a bit of a horror show at Bodo/Glimt.
Manchester City vs Galatasaray Odds
*All odds are subject to change
City are, of course, massive favourites to claim the win here at a price of 1.21. A Galatasaray victory is at long odds of 12.00, while the draw is 7.20.
Manchester City vs Galatasaray Betting Tips
Player to score or assist – Phil Foden @ 2.05
Foden and Erling Haaland were rested in the 2-0 win over Wolves, but expect both to be recalled to the XI here – especially with Semenyo ineligible. And while Foden has had a tough time of late, there is no denying his quality, and we believe he can return to form at a vital time for City. The Englishman scored twice in the 4-1 home win over Borussia Dortmund back in November.
Victor Osimhen to have over 0.5 shots on target @ 1.73
With Guehi unable to play, City’s defence looks decidedly weaker than it did last Saturday. So we can see Gala having a fair few chances at the Etihad, and it is rare that a game goes by in which Osimhen does not test the goalkeeper’s reflexes. The Nigerian has six goals in five Champions League appearances this season, as well as seven in 13 Super Lig outings.
Lucas Torreira to commit over 1.5 fouls @ 2.00
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Torreira is a mainstay in Gala’s XI – and for good reason. The tenacious enforcer rarely puts a foot wrong, but he will have his work cut out against Rodri and Bernardo Silva. The City boys can keep the ball for fun and frustrate opponents, so we think Torreira will add at least two to his current Champions League foul count of nine.
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