Manchester City take on Galatasaray in their final UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.The Cityzens suffered a shocking 3-1 loss to Norwegian side Bod...
Manchester City take on Galatasaray in their final UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Cityzens suffered a shocking 3-1 loss to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt last time out, recording their second UCL loss of the season.
Galatasaray, on the other hand, were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Match preview
City head into this fixture level on points with Chelsea, who occupy the last automatic qualification spot for the round of 16.
A 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League has lifted the mood of the Cityzens, but Galatasaray would pose a sterner test than Wolves.
City find comfort at home — losing just twice in all competitions — and will be aiming to use that strength to secure a victory.
Star striker Erling Haaland came off the bench against Wolves, but he is expected to get back into the starting line-up for this game. He has six UCL goals this term.
Meeting Man City for the first time in the UCL, Galatasaray sit three points outside the automatic qualification spots for the round of 16.
A victory here does not guarantee automatic progression, but will secure their place in the play-offs.
Galatasaray have registered just one away win in the UCL this term and will need to overcome their struggles on the road to get a result at the Etihad.
Victor Osimhen is the danger man for Okan Buruk’s side. He registered his 50th goal for the club in the 3-1 league win over Fatih Karagumruk and has netted six times in the competition.
The return of City legend Ilkay Gundogan to the Etihad adds further intrigue to this encounter.
Team news
Man City will be without Rodri, who was sent off against Bodo/Glimt, while new signings Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo are ineligible.
Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Oscar Bobb, Savinho, Ruben Dias, and John Stones remain sidelined through injury. Nico Gonzalez is a doubt.
Galatasaray head into the clash with a clean bill of health.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Braut Haaland.
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Ugurcan Cakir, Ismail Jakobs, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Davinson Sanchez, Roland Sallai, Lucas Torreira, Ilkay Gundogan, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Gabriel Sara, Yunus Akgun, Victor Osimhen.
Prediction
We predict a 3-2 victory for Man City.
Stats from sofascore.com, whoscored.com & uefa.com
Category: General Sports
