Surprise Gala at Old Trafford?

Failure to start for the Turkish record champions from Istanbul! With the draw against FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray dropped important points in the group opener of the 2023/24 Champions League. Now, in the second game, the acid test in Manchester is on the agenda. In contrast to “Cimbom”, Man United lost their first match in the top flight.

Head coach Erik ten Hag’s team conceded a bitter defeat to FC Bayern in the showdown of the two group favourites. Manchester United now have the chance to make amends against Galatasaray. The best bookmakers see the English representatives as clear favourites and offer odds of only 1.45 on the home side for a Manchester United vs Galatasaray bet.

This is not the first time that the two clubs have met on the international stage. It is already the seventh meeting between Manchester United and Galatasaray Istanbul in the top flight. In their six previous head-to-head meetings, Gala have only beaten the Red Devils once – a good omen for Man United?

Looking at the recent form curve of the English hosts, it is nevertheless bold to make a prediction on the favourite in Manchester United vs Galatasaray. After all, Man United have lost four of their last six competitive matches, including their most recent league game against Crystal Palace.

Manchester United – Statistics & current form

Turnaround for Manchester United. With the defeat against Crystal Palace (0:1), Man United’s hopes of a winning streak after the crisis in September have been extinguished again. Head coach Erik ten Hag’s side conceded their fourth defeat in the last six competitive matches with a 1-0 loss to the south Londoners.

Now the next match on the international stage is coming up. Manchester United are favourites at home against their Turkish group rivals. If the H2h between the two clubs is anything to go by, Manchester United’s role as favourites is understandable. In the six previous encounters, MUFC had a record of 2-3-1.

Manchester United won two out of three home games. If the next home win against the Turkish record champions is on the cards, Manchester United vs. Galatasaray betting odds of 1.45 are offered for a bet on the English hosts. It would be their tenth win in their 19th competitive match against a Turkish side.

Old Trafford as a fortress

The home advantage at Old Trafford speaks in favour of the “Red Devils”. Manchester United have not lost a match on the international stage in front of their home crowd since September 2022. Since then, the three-time Champions League winners have a home record of 4-1-0 and will therefore go into the match against Galatasaray Istanbul with a broad chest.

MUFC coach Erik ten Hag will be without at least seven players for the match against the Lions from Istanbul. Compared to the team that last played against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, only minimal changes are to be expected.

In the opening match against FC Bayern Munich, Manchester United scored four times. It therefore remains to be seen how MUFC’s defensive line will perform against the Turkish record champions. At least one goal conceded cannot be ruled out this time either, given their recent form curve.

Predicted Manchester United line-up:

Manchester United (Expected line-up) 4-2-3-1

Galatasaray – Statistics & current form

Galatasaray have had a packed fixture list to deal with in recent weeks. It therefore remains to be seen how the Turkish record champions will present themselves in their fourth competitive match within two weeks. Galatasaray already stumbled against MKE Ankaragücü last weekend and only managed a laborious victory.

In addition, “Cimbom” has not made a good impression against English clubs so far. In a total of 21 matches against Premier League clubs, Galatasaray’s record was a meagre 3-8-10, and they conceded a total of 39 goals in those 21 matches – an average of almost two goals per match.

Although Galatasaray’s defence has been convincing in the league so far, the statistics should not be overestimated with regard to the Champions League. The group opener against FC Copenhagen already showed that the supposed defensive bulwark of the Lions is perhaps not quite as strong internationally. Against the Danish record champions, Gala scored twice in the box.

Since 2012 without an away win in the premier league

The record on foreign soil also speaks against a prediction in favour of the Turkish record champions. The Lions from Istanbul have not won a single away match in the main round of the Champions League since 2012. Since then, “Cimbom” has only a meagre record of 0-3-13 in the last 16 away games.

If you still want to bet on Manchester United vs. Galatasaray, you can get betting odds of up to 7.00 on the visitors from Istanbul. By the way: In the bookmakers’ bonus campaigns, there are also free bets that can be used for this.

GS coach Okan Buruk will have to do without Kazimcan Karatas for the showdown at Man United’s Old Trafford due to injury. Hakim Ziyech, on the other hand, is still a big question mark. The Moroccan had already missed the most recent league match due to injury.

Predicted line-up of Galatasaray:

Galatasaray (Expected line-up) 4-2-3-1

Manchester United – Galatasaray Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

This is the seventh time Manchester United and Galatasaray have met in a competitive match. In the six previous meetings – all in the Champions League – “Cimbom” has only won once against MUFC. That victory came in the last H2h in November 2012, the year Galatasaray fought their way to the quarter-finals of the top flight.

At Manchester United’s Old Trafford, Galatasaray lost two out of three duels. One match, on the other hand, ended in a draw. In these three away matches, Galatasaray scored three goals. On the other hand, the Lions have scored eight times.

Manchester United – Galatasaray betting tips

Manchester United started the Champions League group stage with a bitter defeat against Munich. Therefore, the second group game is all the more important for MUFC. With a win, Man United will probably catapult themselves into second place. The home advantage against Galatasaray Istanbul comes in handy.

The Red Devils have not lost a home game at Old Trafford on the international stage since September 2022. Manchester United have even won four of their last five home games since then and will therefore approach the match against the Turkish record champions with a broad chest. Especially as the H2h is also in MUFC’s favour.

Because Erik ten Hag’s team has suffered a number of setbacks in recent weeks, it’s still risky to bet on a Man United win. Instead, we opt for a Manchester United vs. Galatasaray bet on “Over 1.5 goals (2nd half)” and use five units. The best odds for this are currently offered by Bet365