Galatasaray aim for the last 16
Only two clubs have yet to concede a goal in the group stage of the ongoing Europa League. One of those two teams is Galatasaray Istanbul, who also top Group E with seven points from three group games. In their fourth group game, the Lions will be looking to continue their run of form on the international stage and will be aiming for another win against Lokomotive Moscow.
In the first round, Galatasaray already beat their Russian group rivals. For long stretches, it was a match of equals in which the Turkish record champions’ defensive bulwark was particularly convincing. Because Lokomotive risked more in the final phase, Galatasaray were rewarded with a well-deserved away win in Moscow.
In the second-round match, the lions from Istanbul are once again favoured according to the betting providers with a German licence. Meanwhile, a home win for Galatasaray against Lokomotive Moscow only offers odds of 1.78.
Galatasaray’s role as favourites is by no means surprising. The guests from Moscow have hardly been convincing on the international stage lately. Lokomotive has been winless in the European Cup for 14 matches in a row, both season-long and across all competitions. It is quite possible that this negative streak will continue in Istanbul. After all, Lokomotive will be short of players when they travel to their Turkish group rivals.
Galatasaray – Statistics & current form
After a weak start to the season, Galatasaray have recently found their way back to success and caused a sensation not only on the international stage. In the Turkish top flight, the record champions from Istanbul recently made a big leap in the table and are now in sixth place.
Across all competitions, the Lions have only lost one of their last seven competitive matches. Before the crucial home game against Lokomotive Moscow, Galatasaray beat league rivals Gaziantep FK 2-0 in the Süper Lig to record their third home win in a row.
In the European Cup, Fatih Terim & Co. want to continue their winning streak at the Türk Telekom Arena. Because the Lions already won against their Russian group rivals in the first round, it is not at all surprising that Galatasaray are again favourites against Lokomotive Moscow according to the odds.
Will the record against Russian clubs be extended?
Galatasaray have faced Russian clubs eleven times on the international stage. Only three of these eleven competitive matches were won by the Turkish record champions. The record against the upcoming opponents is particularly encouraging, with all three victories coming against Lokomotive Moscow. The last time Galatasaray beat Lokomotive at home was in September 2018, when they won 3-0.
Compared to the previous group matches, the Lions are largely spared any personnel worries this week. In contrast to the visitors from Moscow, Galatasaray are expected to start the fourth group match with their best line-up. However, changes in the starting eleven cannot be ruled out.
In the league, head coach Fatih Terim is forced to field at least three Turkish players in the starting eleven. Because the “Emperor” has free scope internationally, it remains to be seen which legionnaires might still be used in the European Cup. If the Turkish record champions prevail against the Russian guests, attractive odds await for tip 1 in the Galatasaray vs.
Predicted line-up of Galatasaray:
Muslera; Yedlin, Nelsson, Marcao, Van Aanholt; Antalyali, Kutlu; Aktürkoglu, Morutan, Yilmaz; Mohamed
Last matches played by Galatasaray:
Süper Lig
10/31 2021 – Galatasaray 2 – 0 Gaziantep FK
10/25 2021 – Beşiktaş 2 – 1 Galatasaray
Europa League Grp. E
10/21 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 0 – 1 Galatasaray
Süper Lig
10/17 2021 – Galatasaray 1 – 0 Konyaspor
Club Friendlies
10/12 2021 – Galatasaray 3 – 3 Istanbulspor
Lokomotive Moscow – Statistics & current form
Lokomotive, meanwhile, have their backs to the wall – at least on the international stage. In contrast to the promising start to the season in the Russian Premier League, the Muscovites have so far fallen short of the high expectations in the Europa League. Lokomotive has only one point after three match days in the European Cup.
Accordingly, the last hopes for the knockout phase in the Europa League are fading. Most recently, Lokomotive Moscow even squandered home advantage against Galatasaray and thus conceded its second defeat in a row in the European Cup. The next setback is now likely to occur away from home. Internationally, Lokomotive was hardly convincing in the last away games.
They have only won one of their last ten away games in the European Cup this season. It would therefore be more than daring to make a prediction on the visitors in Galatasaray vs. Lokomotive Moscow. Among other things, the personnel worries on the side of the Russian representatives speak against it.
Lazarette at Lokomotive full to bursting
At least six players will miss the fourth group match due to injury. Among them are key players like Smolov, Kamano and Miranchuk. Head coach Markus Gisdol will therefore be forced to start the rotation machine for the away match in Istanbul. It is quite possible that Gisdol will use the same starting eleven that won away in Novgorod last weekend.
The absence of Fedor Smolov is particularly serious. After all, the 31-year-old veteran is the lynchpin of Lokomotive’s attacking play. In the Russian Premier League, Smolov already has seven goals to his name, making the Lokomotive goal-scorer one of the most prolific players in the Russian top flight.
Even with Smolov, Lokomotive missed out on a goal against Galatasaray in the first half of the season. It would therefore not be at all surprising if, with the current staffing problems, a goal is again lacking. Because Lokomotive have not won any of their last 14 competitive matches on the international stage, we think betting on an away win is rather unrealistic.
Predicted line-up of Lokomotive Moscow:
Guilherme; Zhivoglyadov, Pablo, Jedvaj, Rybus; Beka Beka, Barinov, Maradishvili; Anjorin, Kerk, Zhemaletdinov
Last matches played by Lokomotive Moscow:
Premier League
10/30 2021 – Nizhny Novgorod 1 – 2 Lokomotive Moscow
10/25 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 2 – 1 PFC Sochi
Europa League Grp. E
10/21 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 0 – 1 Galatasaray
Premier League
10/16 2021 – Rubin Kazan 2 – 2 Lokomotive Moscow
10/03 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 1 – 2 FK Rostov
Galatasaray – Lokomotive Moscow Direct comparison / H2H record
Galatasaray and Lokomotive Moscow meet for the sixth time on the international stage. So far, the Turkish record champions lead the direct comparison against the guests from Moscow with a record of 3-0-2. The Lions celebrated two of their three victories away from home. Galatasaray have only won one home match against Lokomotive. That victory (3-0) came in the last meeting in Istanbul just under three years ago.
Galatasaray – Lokomotive Moscow tip
For Galatasaray, the knockout stage of the Europa League is within their grasp. As Group E leaders, the Turkish record champions still have a realistic chance of winning the group and thus advancing directly to the last 16 of the European Cup. In order to further improve their starting position, the Lions must also win their home match against Lokomotive Moscow.
Just a fortnight ago, Galatasaray won 1-0 in Moscow and kept their clean slate on the international stage for the third time in a row. This time, the Lions will not only benefit from the home advantage but also from the personnel problems on the side of the Russian guests. Many of Lokomotive’s key players have to take a break due to injury.
Because the hosts from Istanbul have shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks, we consider bets on a home win to be without alternative, at least on the 1X2 market. With a stake of seven units, we even dare to bet on Galatasaray vs. Lokomotive Moscow at attractive odds on “HT/FT: 1/1”. In four of the last five home games (across all competitions), Galatasaray led before the break.
