Galatasaray vs Barcelona...CONTINUE READING
Barcelona will want to move to the Europa League quarter-finals after being kept to a 0-0 draw in front of their home supporters in the first leg of their last-16 encounter. Galatasaray will host them in Turkey for the second leg.
Xavi’s team enter the clash having thrashed Osasuna for four goals without reply in La Liga, while Domenec Torrent’s side defeated Besiktas 2-1.
Assisting Pep Guardiola at Camp Nou, Galatasaray head Domenec Torrent saw his team execute a superb defensive showing to earn a memorable draw and leave it all to play for in the second leg.
Although Memphis Depay came close to winning it for his side, Inaki Pena of Barcelona saved him from doing so.
Galatasaray warmed up for the second leg with a 2-1 Super Lig victory against Besiktas, as Torrent looks to infuse a feeling of tenacity into the faltering giants.
Galatasaray have only lost one of their previous seven games in all competitions and have only failed to score in one of their past 16 home games. Moreover, the hosts haven’t lost in the Europa League since 2008.
Torrent’s team have never reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in its present format, but having defeated Marseille and Lazio this season, they may hope.
Prediction
Barcelona might be in for a tough ride against Galatasaray on the harsh Nef Stadium ground, with the hosts enjoying the new manager bounce under Torrent and owning a game-changer in Akturkoglu.
The Catalans were plagued by a marked lack of ruthlessness in the first leg, but with Xavi able to draw on so many superb attacking alternatives, La Blaugrana will look to tear through a troubled Galatasaray defence and move to the last eight, I expect Galatasaray to lose the match
West Ham vs Sevilla
West Ham United enter the second leg of their Europa League last-16 contest against Sevilla losing 1-0 on aggregate.
The Hammers are sixth in the Premier League ahead of Thursday’s clash at the London Stadium, while Sevilla are second in La Liga.
Prediction
While Moyes has talked up West Ham’s possibilities of scoring on Thursday, it may be much easier said than done. In what is expected to be a close encounter, Sevilla might win with a draw in London, perhaps making things more difficult for their opponents with a goal in the first half, I expect West Ham to lose the match.
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