Champions League
2012-09-19 - Manchester United vs Galatasaray
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Wednesday 19 September 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
Manchester United were given a kind draw in the Group Stage of the Champions League last season, but sloppiness at Old Trafford cost them too many points and they exited before the last 16 for the first time since 2005/06. That disappointment sparked the most successful United years in this competition as they won the tournament in 2008 and were finalists in 2009 and 2011 so Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping last year can also see a positive result from the exit.
This year, much like last season, has seen United given a very negotiable Group as they have been placed alongside Galatasaray, Braga and Cluj, and the fans will be expecting not just to go through, but to win the section. United have bounced back from an opening day defeat in the Premier League to win their last 3 games so confidence should not be a problem for them.
United have won 7 of their last 8 games at Old Trafford in all competitions, although their European games last season were more than a disappointment here. The team won just 1 of their 3 Group games in the Champions League, that coming against Otelul Galati, while they also lost both home games in the Europa League. United are unbeaten in 11 home games in the Champions League, winning 7 of them.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney are all absent. I expect the likes of Robin Van Persie, Patrice Evra and Antonio Valencia to be restored to the starting line up, while Ashley Young will need a late fitness test. Despite playing Liverpool at the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson has promised a strong team will take the field as they don't want to be in a position they found themselves last season.
Galatasaray
There was a time when Galatasaray were annually involved in the Champions League, but this will be the first time they are in the Group Stage since 2006. The side won't be too disappointed with the draw as they will surely be fancying their chances against Braga and Cluj even if Manchester United go on and win the Group. That would mean Galatasaray could reach the last 16 of this competition for the first time in over ten years.
They have made a fast start to defending their Turkish Championship, picking up 10 points from their opening 4 games. That means Galatasaray have a 1 point advantage over Kasimpasa and can turn their attentions to the Champions League after a 0-4 win at the weekend.
Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last 10 away games in all competitions and they have won 7 of those games. They were not involved in a European competition last season, but the were previously 3-5-1 in their away games over a couple of seasons in the Europa League. It has to be taken into consideration that they didn't play too many teams of the stature of Manchester United in that run of games, although did earn a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid.
Tomas Ujfalusi and Sabri Sarioglu are both absent for the side, the former is going to miss the whole of the Group Stage as he has been ruled out for up to four months.
Head to Head
Manchester United and Galatasaray actually met in the first Champions League season that United took part in since 1969- on that occasion, Galatasaray knocked United out on away goals following a 3-3 draw in Manchester with a 0-0 draw in Istanbul.
They met again in the following season in the newly formed Group Stage and again drew 0-0 in Istanbul, although United hammered Galatasaray 4-0 at Old Trafford.
The latter game was when both teams were already eliminated and featured a lot of the youngsters that were to make an impact over the next 15 years, including David Beckham's first ever United goal.
Prediction
I am expecting Sir Alex Ferguson to play a strong side in this game as he doesn't want to experience the same issues as last season, although the Old Trafford myth has been lessened somewhat with both Ajax and Athletic Bilbao winning here in the Europa League and Benfica and Basel avoiding defeat.
Galatasary may also look to local rivals Besiktas for inspiration as they are the last side to come to Old Trafford and win a Champions League game.
However, I just think the little inexperience Galatasaray have may be their ultimate downfall in this one.
With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand getting playing time to strengthen the United defence, I don't envision the same lapses of concentration they suffered last season in the Group Stage, while there are now attacking options even in the absence of Wayne Rooney.
It won't be an easy game for United, but I just think the Galatasaray team may be a little overawed by the occasion so I am backing the home side to win this by a couple of goals at the least.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-0 Galatasaray
