Galatasaray vs Tottenham: Match Preview & predictions
Galatasaray vs Tottenham: Match Preview & predictions. Tottenham Hotspur would be aiming to maintain their perfect record in the Europa League when travel to Istanbul to take on Turkish giants, Galatasaray on Thursday.
Spurs have won all three of their European outings so far this season despite significant rotations, claiming victories over Qarabag, Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar. They sit only behind Lazio in the league phase standings and are one of just three teams to have won all of their fixtures in the competition thus far.
Tottenham will be heading into this one with their morale high. Ange Postecoglou‘s men have bounced back from an underwhelming defeat at Crystal Palace in style, beating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, before an impressive comeback victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League last Sunday.
Galatasaray will certainly make life difficult for their English visitors, as RAMS Park will be rocking on Thursday night and the Turkish outfit have claimed seven points from their opening three matches, most recently beating Elfsborg 4-3 in a bonkers affair. They also lead the Super Lig as they defend their crown.
Below is how we preview the entertaining clash between Galatasaray vs Tottenham.
What time does Galatasaray vs Tottenham kick-off?
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Stadium: RAMS Park
Date: Thursday 7 November
Kick-off: 17:45 GMT / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT
Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)
VAR: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)
Galatasaray vs Tottenham H2H Record;
This is the first competitive fixture between Galatasaray and Tottenham.
Galatasaray team news;
Galatasaray are yet to play in November and should be well rested for Spurs’ visit this Thursday. Okan Buruk should field his strongest available lineup, with only left-back Ismail Jakobs absent through injury.
Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen is likely to concern a Spurs defence fraught with injuries, with first-choice goalkeeper Fernando Muslera returning from a European ban at the other end of the pitch.
Former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira will be key in central midfield, while their summer signing from Norwich City, Gabriel Sara, has made a quick start to life in Istanbul. Ex-Spurs centre-back Davinson Sanchez will marshal the backline.
Gala have a deep squad and will be able to call upon the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi, too.
Galatasaray predicted lineup vs Tottenham
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jelert; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen.
Tottenham team news;
Spurs have a few injury concerns following Sunday’s 4-1 win over Villa, with Cristian Romero being withdrawn due to a foot injury. The Argentine is a major doubt for Thursday, with centre-back partner Micky van de Ven still sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Richarlison sustained his own hamstring issue from the bench against Villa, ruling him out of the journey to Istanbul. He joins fellow forward Wilson Odobert on the sidelines, who has made just one appearance since mid-September due to fitness issues.
Djed Spence is closing in on a return but Thursday’s encounter may come too soon for the full-back, with Archie Gray potentially filling in to allow Pedro Porro another well-earned rest. Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies will be the centre-back partnership in Turkey.
James Maddison has struggled for minutes in recent weeks and may earn a run out. The likes of Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and young Mikey Moore could all feature, while skipper Son Heung-min is likely to be rested.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Galatasaray
Tottenham (4-3-3): Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bergvall, Bissouma, Maddison; Moore, Solanke, Werner.
Galatasaray vs Tottenham score prediction;
Gala’s three Europa League matches have been goal-fests. In fact, there have been 15 goals scored across the fixtures, with Spurs also known for being involved in entertaining and high-scoring clashes. With Postecoglou expected to make a number of alterations, the likelihood of a thriller increases.
The result hinges on just how many changes the Australian makes to his starting XI but injuries at the back will force him into fielding a weakened backline. Gala’s menacing attack, which includes Osimhen, should create plenty of opportunities, with Spurs’ much-changed team perhaps falling short in Turkey.
Prediction: Galatasaray 2-2 Tottenham
