Barcelona vs Galatasaray: Our top tips
* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Barcelona have showed real improvement since Xavi came in as manager and they'll fancy their chances of winning this tournament. Will they take a first leg lead here? Find out with our Barcelona vs Galatasaray match preview with free tips, predictions and odds mentioned along the way.
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Barca to open up breathing space
We kick off our Barcelona vs Galatasaray predictions by backing the hosts to run out comfortable winners; we are tipping Barca to win with a one goal handicap. Barcelona haven't lost a game inside 90 minutes in 17 and have won their last four heading into this match; three of those wins have been won by a margin greater than one goal. Galatasaray meanwhile have been in mixed form with their away form in particular rather poor; they've lost three of their last five on the road with each of those defeats being by at least a two goal margin. The sides actually met in the Champions League back in the 2002/03 season; Barca won both meetings by more than one goal.
A game stacked with goals
Backing this game to go over 3.5 goals is a little ambitious but the step up in odds compared to over 2.5 make the value on offer hugely appealing. Barcelona have gone over 3.5 in three of their last five games. Galatasaray meanwhile have gone over the 3.5 mark in two of their past three games. On top of that, whilst we fully expect Barca to be asking most of the questions in this game and neither boast a watertight defence; Barca have kept one clean sheet in five games with Galatasaray not keeping any in the same period of time.
All the stats & odds for Barcelona vs Galatasaray
Barcelona vs Galatasaray: Check out the team lineups
Barcelona, by name, do not belong in this second tier competition. That said, Galatasaray have spent a fair whack of time in the Champions League over the years too so the is very much a banana skin for Barca.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup
Barcelona were woeful in the early part of the season but the appointment of Xavi as manager has put that form in the rear view mirror. They're now winning games and playing good football. Their ambition is unquestionably to win the trophy.
Predicted XI – ter Stegen, Dest, Pique, Araujo, Alba, Pedri, De Jong, Busquets, Aubameyang, Dembele, Torres
Galatasaray Predicted Lineup
Galatasaray couldn't have been handed a worse tie than this had they made the draw 1,000 times. Few expect them to trouble Barca but if they can avoid a mauling in Spain then they'll have half a chance back in front of their own fans.
Predicted XI – Pena, Boey, Marcao, Nelsson, van Aanholt, Pulgar, Kutlu, Kilinc, Akturkoglu, Cicaldau, Gomis
The final word on Barcelona vs Galatasaray
- Where is the game being played? – Nou Camp
- Who do the bookmakers have as favourites? – Barcelona
- What time is kick off? 8 PM GMT
