Galatasaray will welcome FC Copenhagen to RAMS Park on Wednesday for a UEFA Champions League Group A clash, with kickoff slated for 16:45 GMT.
Key Highlights
Galatasaray’s Robust Start to the Season
Galatasaray eliminated Molde over two legs in the UEFA Champions League playoff to make it into the group stage. They won the away match 2-3 before winning the home leg 2-1 and sealing a 5-3 aggregate win.
Due to their involvement in the qualification process for the Champions League, Galatasaray have played three matches in the Turkish Super Lig instead of five like others.
As a result, Galatasaray are 5th on the table even though they remain unbeaten. They have won twice and drawn once in their three rounds of fixtures they have played.
Playing at home, Galatasaray will look to dominate the ball and play on the front foot. They will rely on their midfield to dictate the match’s tempo and help create chances in the final third.
Solidity at the back, especially guarding against transition attacks, will be important for the home side as they look to get off to a winning start in Group A.
Copenhagen’s Mixed Form in Recent Matches
Copenhagen have been in a mixed run of form in recent matches. In their last five outings, the Superliga leaders have won three times, drawn once, and lost once.
They have collected 10 points and dropped five in this run, showing some frailties for the chasing pack to hang on to as they look to overhaul their lead at the top of the table.
Bet hereOverall, Copenhagen have shown character and quality to build a lead at the top of the table after eight Superliga rounds of fixtures. They have won six times, drawn once, and lost once in this game.
Copenhagen have scored 18 goals after eight matches; this is lower than second-placed Nordsjaelland, who have grabbed 21 goals so far. Copenhagen have also conceded nine times, higher than Nordsjaelland’s eight and Brondby’s 7.
Playing away from home, Copenhagen will prioritize solidity at the back and compactness in midfield. They will not want to be exposed to channel players through the middle or pacey players down the flanks.
They will still focus on retaining an attacking threat as they aim to nick a win away in Turkey to bolster their standing in the group early on.
Injury Report
Galatasaray
Galatasaray will be without the services of new signing Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old left winger is sidelined with an unknown injury.
Reports indicate that Zaha is on the mend, but the clash against Copenhagen might come too soon for his involvement.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen will have to pick a team to face Galatasaray without the services of center-back Davit Khocholava. The 30-year-old is not expected back until early October, which rules him out of the clash against Galatasaray in midweek.
Possible Lineups
Galatasaray
F. Muslera; J. Tasende, A. Bardakci, V. Nelsson, S. Boey; L. Torreira, K. Demirbay; M. Akturkoglu, D. Mertens, Tete; M. Icardi
Copenhagen
K. Grabara; B. Meling, K. Diks, D. Vavro, E. Jelert; D. Goncalves, R. Falk, M. Elyounoussi; E. Achouri, O. Oskarsson, R. Bardghji
Prediction
Galatasaray will have the onus of playing on the front foot and opening up a Copenhagen side that will play conservatively and look to kill the sting of the game.
The home side will play from the back and look to use their pacey wide players and skillful players in the middle of the pack to open the defense and create chances.
Copenhagen will play on the counter and look to convert the chances they make to grab a famous win.
Galatasaray will win the home match and get off to a winning start.
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