In their third match of the Europa League marketing campaign, Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray will host Swedish facet Elfsborg at Rams Park on Wednesday.
The hosts sit in eighth place with 4 factors within the league section, whereas the guests are at the moment in sixteenth, with three factors after two video games, holding a place within the spherical of 16 playoffs.
Galatasaray performed to a 2-2 draw with RFS on Oct. 3 of their newest Europa League outing, unable to safe a win regardless of establishing a two-goal lead by the thirty eighth minute.
In their opening match of the competitors on Sept. 25, the Lions beat PAOK 3-1 victory.
This season, Okan Buruk’s facet has been a prolific objective machine, discovering the again of the web 23 instances of their final eight matches, though they’ve additionally conceded eight objectives throughout that stretch.
They additionally lead the Süper Lig log with 5 factors forward of second-placed Beşiktaş after simply 9 matches, whereas the Black Eagles have performed solely eight.
Buruk’s squad has been in spectacular kind, successful seven and drawing two of their final 9 aggressive fixtures, with solely three losses in 14 matches this season – twice in Champions League qualifiers and as soon as within the Super Cup last in opposition to Beşiktaş on Aug. 3.
Galatasaray additionally take pleasure in a robust dwelling benefit, having received 4 of their final 5 matches at RAMS Park.
In their final 9 dwelling video games within the Europa League, they’ve secured six victories, two attracts, and just one defeat.
Elfsborg head into the matchup recent off a 1-0 victory in opposition to Roma of their final Europa League sport on Oct. 3, with Michael Baidoo netting the decisive penalty within the forty fourth minute.
While the guests showcased strong defensive efforts in opposition to the Italian facet, they struggled to generate possibilities from open play, managing only one shot within the second half.
Under Oscar Hiljemark, Elfsborg completed second within the Allsvenskan final season however at the moment sits seventh, with 41 factors from 27 matches – 17 factors adrift of first-placed Malmo and with solely three video games left to play.
They are, nonetheless, experiencing a tough patch, having misplaced three of their final 5 fixtures, together with their final two by a mixed rating of 7-2.
On the street within the Europa League, Elfsborg have misplaced two of their final three away video games, but they’ve nonetheless managed three wins, one draw, and only one loss of their final 5 away fixtures within the competitors.
The hosts will miss goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who acquired a purple card in opposition to Young Boys in late August throughout a Champions League qualifier after kicking an opponent.
Left-back Ismail Jakobs exited the final match in opposition to Antalyaspor as a result of damage, so anticipate Berkan Kutlu to step into the beginning lineup.
Gunay Güvenç is more likely to take the goalkeeping place, doubtlessly shielded by center-backs Davinson Sanchez and Abdulkerim Bardakçı.
Dries Mertens might assume an attacking function behind striker Victor Osimhen, who may exchange Mauro Icardi on the entrance.
On the guests’ facet, there are not any damage issues forward of Wednesday’s match, they usually would possibly subject an identical lineup to the one which confronted Roma.
Look for Isak Pettersson to start out in objective, supported by defenders Buhari Ibrahim, Gustav Henriksson and Terry Yegbe in a again three.
Additionally, Besfort Zeneli is a robust candidate to anchor a midfield trio, whereas attacker Michael Baidoo may companion with Arber Zeneli in a entrance two.
Source: www.dailysabah.com