Chelsea vs Galatasaray preview

March 17, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Chelsea vs GalatasarayFresh from the controversial league defeat to Aston Villa, Chelsea take on Galatasaray hoping to build on the 1-1 draw from the first leg and secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Turkish giants are definitely not without chances in this tie, especially if star players Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder can produce some magic at Stamford Bridge.

It is hardly surprising that Jose Mourinho was furious at the referees following the Premier League loss to Aston Villa considering that the setback could prove very costly in the final count.

The Blues did have some refereeing decisions go against them, but rather than crying over spilt milk, Chelsea players need to turn their focus to the Galatasaray clash.

And while the Stamford Bridge outfit have been made 1.40 (2/5) favourites to win the return leg, it is important to note they did not impress in the first match in Istanbul.

However, given the amount of quality and experience within their ranks, the Blues look they can be trusted to make it to the next round, especially having kept five successive clean sheets on home soil.

Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are both ineligible, but David Luiz and Ashley Cole could both return into action.

Samuel Eto’o is set to be recalled after missing the Aston Villa game, whilst Marco van Ginkel remains a long-term casualty.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Cech – Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta – Ramires, Mikel – Willian, Oscar, Hazard – Eto’o.

Galatasaray have a chance to reach Champions League quarter-finals for the second year running, although this time they face a much tougher task than some year ago.

Cim Bom did really well to pip Italian giants Juventus to the second place in their group, while they also showed plenty of promise in the first leg against Chelsea.

Galatasaray were probably unlucky not to have won the first match, but 1-1 draw means they are still pretty much in this tie.

Roberto Mancini’s side haven’t been too impressive of late, having won just one of last three league matches, but they are 1.85 (17/20) to register a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Aydin Yilmaz is definitely out of contention, whereas Hamit Altintop and Gokhan Zan are major injury doubts.

Aurelien Chedjou and Hakan Balta have resumed full training and they are both in line to start. Didier Drogba and Burak Yilmaz will form the attacking partnership.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-3-2): Muslera – Eboue, Chedjou, Balta, Telles – Ceyhun – Selcuk, Melo, Sneijder – Drogba, B. Yilmaz.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!