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Recommended bets
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Barcelona have won their last two away games against Galatasaray, in 2001 and 2002. Galatasaray have won just six of 16 home games against Spanish sides, losing the last three. However, Gala have progressed in nine of 12 UEFA ties when drawing the first leg away. Barça have gone through six of 12 times when drawing at home first, including in the previous round against Napoli.
Over 2.5 goals is 8/13.
Barcelona to win and over 2.5 goals is 20/21.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 19 goals in his last 33 Europa League appearances. He is 11/4 to break the deadlock, 4/6 to score anytime and 2/1 to score two or more.
Match preview
There was nothing to separate them in Catalonia but there must be a winner in İstanbul.
The first leg is best illustrated by the xG score which ended up being Barcelona 1.74- 0.14 Galatasaray.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu had Galatasaray’s clearest opening of the night but he fired over after an outstanding solo-run.
So, with the away goals rule no longer in operation, it’s winner takes all in Turkey.
Barcelona are competing in this competition for the first time in 18 years having slumped to third place in their Champions League group.
However, the Blaugrana are desperate to win this trophy for the first time, emphasised by their 4-2 demolition of Napoli in Italy in the previous round.
Xavi’s side are currently unbeaten in ten in all competitions and face Real Madrid in el Clásico on Sunday night.
Before then, will Barça book their place in the quarter-finals?
Galatasaray meanwhile won the UEFA Cup and subsequent Super Cup back in 2000, beating Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively.
In the last 20 years though, they’ve only appeared in one European quarter-final, that of the Champions League in 2014.
This season, Gala beat St Johnstone and Randers in qualifiers before topping a group above Olympique Marseille, Lazio and Lokomotiv Moskva.
However, domestically, Domènec Torrent’s side are down in 11th in the Süper Lig, despite Monday’s derby victory over Beşiktaş.
Everything suggest Barcelona will win this one, but can the partisan home crowd roar their side onto victory at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi?
Galatasaray team news
This is the third of three massive games in a week for Domènec Torrent’s team so will fatigue be an issue?
Kerem Aktürkoğlu is their danger man having scored 11 times this season, including a brace in Monday’s derby.
Mostafa Mohamed and Emre Kılınç will complete the front three with veterans Ryan Babel and Bafétimbi Gomis the other options.
Sacha Boey and Patrick van Aanholt are naturally attacking full-backs, but both will have to bring their a-game defensively here.
Goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who’s on loan from Barça, will keep his place over club legend and captain Fernando Muslera.
Barcelona team news
As for Barça, Sergio Busquets was given a rare rest in the first leg but will surely be in to dictate midfield this time.
Gavi was suspended for the first leg but could return here, alongside Pedri, with Nico and Frenkie de Jong the other options.
At right-back, Sergiño Dest will start because Dani Alves isn’t in the UEFA squad.
Forran Torres’ brace against Osasuna on Sunday could see him keep his place, alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé.
Although, Xavi has some serious attacking options with Adama Traoré, Memphis and Luuk de Jong all viable alternatives.
Süper Lig table:
La Liga table:
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