Galatasaray – Barcelona, Picks and Tips
The second leg brought an unexpected result, given the two sides' recent form. After a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou, the return leg Galatasaray vs Barcelona is a must win for the visitors to secure their place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Xavi Hernandez's side have not lost a game since January and are in great form just ahead of 'El Clasico' vs Real Madrid, which takes place this weekend. The Catalans are having pleasant experiences in away matches in UEL, after that 4-2 vs Napoli in the previous round. On the other hand, the team for which Alexandru Cicâldău and Olimpiu Moruțan play comes with a good morale after the derby win against Beșiktaș, but is in a season full of disappointments in the Turkish Super League.
Galata had a run of four consecutive games without defeat in the Turkish Super League, until a 0-2 vs Konyaspor just before the round at Camp Nou. After the 0-0 draw at Barcelona, the derby against Beșiktaș was next for Cicâldău and Moruțan's team. It was one of the best games of the season as Domenec Torrent's side won 2-1. Kerem Akturkoglu scored a brace in Monday night's duel. After 29 rounds of the Turkish championship, Galatasaray are only 11th. With 38 points accumulated so far, the distance to the European Cup places is nine "lengths". The Catalans have not lost a game since their Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao in January. Since then, there have been 10 games for Xavi Hernandez's side, all of which have ended in positive results (seven wins and three draws). After the first leg draw at the Camp Nou, Barcelona beat Osasuna 4-0 in LaLiga. Ferran Torres, with a double, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Riqui Puig scored for the Blaugrana at the weekend. With 27 games played so far in the Primera Division, Thursday night's guests are in third place in the Spanish league. They have 51 points so far, 12 'lengths' below leaders Real Madrid. Sevilla, in second place, are just five points ahead. The Andalusians also have an extra game in hand.
Our recommendation tip for Galatasaray – Barcelona: BARCELONA TO WIN @ 1.42