Galatasaray vs Real Madrid preview

September 16, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Galatasaray vs Real MadridTurkish giants Galatasaray host star-studded Real Madrid in re-run of last year’s Champions League quarter-finals looking to put an end to a three-match winless run.

Meanwhile, los Blancos are hoping to recover from the first setback of the season, having shared spoils with Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Galatasaray had experienced some problems over the last few years, but everything changed with the return of legendary coach Fatih Terim.

The club immediately went on to claim back to back Super Lig titles, while also impressing in last year’s Champions League.

Cimbom not only reached the quarter-finals of the competition, but gave a really good account of themselves against Real Madrid, winning the return leg 3-2.

Despite going through a rough patch at the moment, the hosts will give their all to try and repeat that result, with Betfred paying no less than 7.00 (6/1) on home win.

Summer signing Armindo Bruma, one of Europe’s most talented players, is expected to play some part, while Wesley Sneijder and Fernando Muslera should be recalled.

Dany Nounkeu and Aurelien Chedjou have resumed full training, but Selcuk Inan, Hamit Altintop and Gokhan Zan continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Muslera – Eboue, Nounkeu, Kaya, Balta – Baytar, Colak, Melo, Sneijder – Drogba, Yilmaz.

This season has started well for Real Madrid as los Blancos won their first three La Liga fixtures, albeit making hard work of their opening two games.

The club have since made two high-profile moves, signing Gareth Bale for world-record fee before making Cristiano Ronaldo the world’s highest paid footballer by handing him a new and improved contract.

However, even with both superstars scoring at El Madrigal, los Blancos had to settle for one point after being completely outplayed by their less illustrious opponents.

It is perfectly clear they will need to show a considerable improvement in order to win in Istanbul, and I really see no value in odds of 1.57 (4/7) offered on away win.

After getting on the scoresheet at the weekend, Ronaldo and Bale are 1.67 (2/3) and 2.38 (11/8) respectively with Stan James to do it all over again.

Carlo Ancelotti will have Alvaro Arbeloa back to the side, but Xabi Alonso, Fabio Coentrao, Raphael Varane and Marcelo remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa – Modric, Khedira – Bale, Isco, Ronaldo – Benzema.

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