In the third game of their Europa League campaign, Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray are set to host Swedish side Elfsborg at Rams Park on Wednesday.
The home team are eighth with four points in the Europa League league phase, while the visitors are in 16th place with three points after two games and occupy a round of 16 playoff spot.
Match preview
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Galatasaray drew 2-2 with RFS on October 3 in their last game in the Europa League, a match that they failed to win despite having taken a two-goal lead after 38 minutes.
The hosts beat PAOK 3-1 in their first game of the Europa League on September 25, a match in which they produced 25 shots and nine big chances compared to PAOK's seven efforts and two big chances.
Cimbom have been rampant goalscorers this term, netting 23 times in their eight most recent matches, conceding on eight occasions in that period.
Manager Okan Buruk will be thrilled with his team's Super Lig showing this season considering his side are already five points clear of second-placed Besiktas after just nine league games, although the Black and Whites have only played eight times.
Buruk's side have won seven and drawn two of their last nine competitive matches and have in fact only lost three times in their 14 games this season, twice in Champions League qualifiers and once in the Turkcell Super Cup final against Besiktas on August 3.
Galatasaray also boast a strong home record having won four of their five most recent matches at Rams Park, and they have also won six, drawn two and lost just one of their last nine home fixtures in the Europa League.
![Elfsborg manager Oscar Hiljemark during the Allsvenskan football match between Elfsborg and IFK Göteborg on August 25, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/35/oscar-hiljemark.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Elfsborg manager Oscar Hiljemark during the Allsvenskan football match between Elfsborg and IFK Göteborg on August 25, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]")
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Opponents Elfsborg come into the clash having beaten Roma 1-0 in their last Europa League game on October 3 thanks to Michael Baidoo, who converted a penalty in the 44th minute.
Though Wednesday's visitors defended well against the Italian side, they created few opportunities from open play and produced just one shot in the second half.
Boss Oscar Hiljemark's side finished second in the Allsvenskan last term but are currently seventh with 41 points from 27 games, and are 17 points from first-placed Malmo with just three matches remaining.
Hiljemark's team are in poor form, and have lost three of their last five fixtures, including losing their last two by a cumulative score of 7-2.
Elfsborg have also lost two of their last three away games, although they have won three, drawn one and lost just one of their five most recent matches on the road in the Europa League.
Team News
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The hosts will certainly be without goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who was sent off against Young Boys in late August in a Champions League qualifier after kicking an opponent.
Left-back Ismail Jakobs was forced off as a result of injury last time out against Antalyaspor on Saturday, so expect Berkan Kutlu to come into the starting XI.
Gunay Guvenc is likely to start in goal, and he could be shielded by centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Dries Mertens could start in an attacking role behind striker Victor Osimhen, who may replace Mauro Icardi up front.
As for the visitors, they have no injury concerns heading into Wednesday's clash and could name a similar XI to the one that started against Roma.
Expect Isak Pettersson to start in goal, while defenders Buhari Ibrahim, Gustav Henriksson and Terry Yegbe may feature in a back three.
Elsewhere, Besfort Zeneli is a probable candidate to start at the base of a midfield three, while attacker Michael Baidoo may be partnered by Arber Zeneli in a front two.
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Guvenc; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Kutlu; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Hedlund, Ibrahim, Henriksson, Yegbe, Hult; Ouma, B Zeneli, Qasem; A Zeneli, Baidoo
We say: Galatasaray 3-1 Elfsborg
Despite Elfsborg's good away record in the Europa League, it is difficult to see how they can avoid defeat given their poor overall form and their hosts' strong showings in recent weeks.
Additionally, it would not be surprising if Galatasaray scored multiple goals considering their rampant displays this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
