Galatasaray vs Tottenham predictions: Spurs to be up against it in Turkey
- Galatasaray are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run
- Spurs have beaten Manchester City and Aston Villa in their last two
- Recommended bet: Galatasaray to win
Tottenham have a 100 per cent record from their three Europa League games this season, but they face a difficult test against Galatasaray on Thursday.
Their opponents are unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig this term, scoring 29 goals in 10 league games, so it could be a hard night for a makeshift Spurs defence.
Team news
Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is available after serving a European ban, but left-back Ismail Jakobs is sidelined with a knee injury.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have all suffered hamstring injuries, while Cristian Romero is a major doubt with the foot problem he picked up in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The stats
Just three of Tottenham’s last 14 games have failed to produced at least three goals.
Galatasaray have scored the first goal in their last seven home games, while five of their last seven home games have featured more than 3.5 goals.
The Turkish league leaders have won nine and drawn two of their last 11 games.
Tottenham have kept just two clean sheets in their last 14 away matches.
Prediction
Wins over Qarabag, Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar have helped Tottenham to second in the Europa League table, but Galatasaray will be confident they can gain their third win in the competition at their expense on Thursday.
Okan Buruk’s side lead the Turkish Super Lig by three points and have scored 29 goals in their 10 league matches this term, which should be a concern for Spurs, who are likely to field a much-changed defence for their trip to Istanbul.
The potential injury loss of Van de Ven and Romero means Ange Postecoglou will need to rely on Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies to keep a lid on things as they attempt to keep Gala’s on-loan striker Victor Osimhen in check.
That could prove easier said than done against a team who have netted nine times in their three Europa League games – wins over Elfsborg and PAOK and a 2-2 draw in Latvia against Rigas FS.
Tottenham fans have been smiling after impressive victories at home to Manchester City and Aston Villa in the last week, but they have work to do before they can be backed with confidence on the road.
Postecoglou’s team fell to a 3-2 defeat to Brighton after taking a two-goal lead and then performed poorly in a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, so it looks as if the home side could come out on top in this one.
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