Galatasaray vs Benfica Prediction and Preview – 21/10/15
Champions League preview – Galatasaray vs Benfica prediction
Despite getting back to training for Galatasaray, this match is too early for Hamit Altintop but he is the only player unavailable for Hamza Hamzaoglu. That’s because, striker Burak Yilmaz made a scoring return to the team on the weekend, coming off the bench and may be introduced as the game goes on.
Benfica join Galatasaray in that they only have one player who is struggling for fitness and that’s Eduardo Salvio, who will miss the game. Otherwise, manager Rui Vitoria has a clean bill of health and may go with the same team which defeated Atletico Madrid.
Possible Line-ups
Galatasaray: 4-2-3-1 formation: Muslera; Sarioglu, Chedjou, Balta, Carole; Kisa, Inan; Oztekin, Sneijder, Podolski; Bulut
Benfica: 4-4-2 formation: Cesar; Nelsinho, Jardel, Luisao, Eliseu; Guedes, Almeida, Samaris, Gaitan; Jonas, Jiminez
Statistics
- Galatasaray have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Benfica have won 7 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Galatasaray have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Benfica have scored an average of 2.2 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Galatasaray’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Benfica’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Galatasaray have managed to pick up just a point in their opening two matches in Group C of the Champions League. The defeat at home to Atletico got the campaign off to a bad start and they could only pick up a point at Astana, in a bizarre game which featured three own goals. That being said, Galatasaray are undefeated in their last five games and come in to this match following a 4-1 win at the weekend.
Benfica come in to this match top of Group C, having won their two matches against FC Astana and Atletico Madrid. It was the away win against Atletico, which is the real stand-out result for Benfica this season and they have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. The Portuguese outfit will fancy they chances of making it three out of three in Turkey.
Galatasaray have not managed to win any of their last ten European games and they will be up against it, with a Benfica team who have proved they can win on the road this season.
Tips
Over 2.5 goals at 21/20 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Benfica win at 11/10 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Jonas to score first and Benfica win at 7/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more Champions League previews, predictions and tips