Galatasaray will host Tottenham Hotspur at the RAMS Park on Thursday, with both teams unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League this season.
Galatasaray are coming into Thursday’s UEFA Europa League game against Tottenham Hotspur on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions. On the other hand, Spurs have picked up four victories from the last six matches in all competitions.
Both teams will fancy their chances of picking up all three points here, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Tottenham have picked up three wins from their first three matches in the UEFA Europa League, and they will be confident heading into this game. It remains to be seen whether they can pick up a positive result away from home.
Galatasaray have done quite well in the Europa League this season as well, and they will look to pick up a morale-boosting victory at home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming fixture between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Galatasaray
Ismail Jakobs is the only injury worry for the Turkish outfit here. Galatasaray are set to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Tottenham Hotpsur, with Fernando Muslera in goal.
Kaan Ayhan and Berkan Kutlu will start in the full-back areas, and they will look to nullify the wide threat from Spurs and hit them on the break. Abdulkerim Bardakci and former Tottenham centre-back Davinson Sanchez will start as the central defenders.
As for the midfield unit, Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Sara will start in the double pivot, and they will look to break down opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side. Baris Alper Yilmaz and Yunus Akgun will start on the flanks, and they will add pace and flair to the Galatasaray attack. Dries Mertens will start as the no. 10 here, and he will look to link up with Victor Osimhen in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jakobs; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Kutlu; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen
Tottenham Hotspur
Djed Spence misses out with a groin injury, Micky van de Ven is unavailable due to a thigh issue, Wilson Odobert misses out with a hamstring problem, Cristian Romero has a toe injury, and Richarlison has a hamstring issue. Tottenham Hotspur are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Galatasaray, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Radu Dragusin will start alongside Ben Davies in the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Yves Bissouma will start alongside Pape Matar Sarr in the double pivot. They will look to protect the back four and break down opposition attacks. James Maddison will start in the central attacking midfield role, and he will look to create chances for his side.
Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min will start in the wide areas, and they will look to add goals and creativity to the side. Finally, Dominic Solanke will lead the line for Tottenham against Galatasaray.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Key Stats
- Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions.
- Tottenham have won four and lost two of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Tottenham have picked up three wins from three matches in the Europa League this season.
- Galatasaray have picked up two wins and a draw from their three Europa League outings.
- Galatasaray have conceded six goals in three Europa League games this season.
Player to Watch
Dominic Solanke
The Tottenham Hotspur striker is our key player to watch out for. The Englishman looked quite sharp in his last few outings, and he will look to build on his recent impressive performances. Solanke could cause all sorts of problems with his physicality and link up in the final third. Tottenham will need him to step up and deliver if they want to grind out a positive result away from home.
Prediction
Galatasaray 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Both teams are in reasonably impressive form and this is likely to be a close contest. Neither team will look to end up on the losing side and a cautious approach is expected from both teams. The two sides could cancel each other out and share the spoils here. A goalscoring draw could be on the cards.
