Galatasaray vs Young Boys Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | UCL 2024-25 Play-off
The first leg was full of drama
Galatasaray SK currently sit in third place in the Super League points table, having won both of their opening fixtures of the season. However, their UEFA Champions League playoff campaign hit a stumbling block after they suffered a defeat in a high-scoring first-leg encounter against Young Boys. The match was filled with goals, drama, and intense moments, but despite Michy Batshuayi’s brace, the ten-men Galatasaray side fell short. The decisive moment came when Young Boys’ Ugrinic converted an 86th-minute penalty to give his team a narrow lead heading into the second leg.
Determined to overturn the deficit and stay alive in the competition, Galatasaray will be relying heavily on their attacking talents. Players like Dries Mertens, Mauro Icardi, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Wilfried Zaha, and Michy Batshuayi will need to rise to the occasion, creating chances and finding the back of the net to either push the match into extra time or secure a win in regular time. The team’s offensive prowess will be crucial if they are to stage a comeback and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
BSC Young Boys, currently struggling at the bottom of the Swiss Super League, need to draw inspiration from their first-leg victory against Galatasaray. Winless in their first five league matches, they have managed only two draws while suffering three defeats, conceding 13 goals in the process. Their defensive vulnerabilities have been starkly exposed, leading to a disappointing start to their domestic campaign. However, a glimmer of hope emerged when they dominated Printse Nendaz with a commanding 10-0 win in the first round of the Swiss Cup.
Building on this momentum, Young Boys capitalized on Galatasaray being reduced to 10 men after Bardakcı’s red card in the Champions League playoff, securing a crucial lead before the second leg. As they prepare to face a formidable Galatasaray side with a potent attacking lineup, Young Boys must shore up their defences and remain resolute. Key defensive players like Mohamed Camara, Tanguy Zoukrou, Hadjam and Blum will need to step up and ensure their backline is impenetrable. Even a draw would suffice to see Young Boys advance to the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying stages, so maintaining a solid defence and tactical discipline will be paramount in their efforts to secure progression.
Typically, knockout and semifinal fixtures are characterized by cautious play and fewer goals, but this match between Galatasaray and Young Boys is shaping up to be a riveting encounter. Galatasaray, eager to overturn their first-leg deficit, will be desperate to find the equalizing goal early on to keep their UEFA Champions League hopes alive. On the other hand, Young Boys will aim to extend their advantage and secure their passage to the next round. Expect an action-packed, high-stakes battle, as both teams are determined to advance in the UCL qualifying rounds. With both sides hungry for victory, this match promises excitement, intensity, and plenty of drama.
Kick-Off:
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 at 12:30 AM IST
Location: RAMS Park, Istanbul, Turkiye
Form:
Galatasaray SK (in all competitions): L-W-W-L-L
Young Boys (in all competitions): W-W-D-D-L
Players to watch :
Dries Mertens (Galatasaray)
The 37-year-old Belgian veteran centre-forward, Dries Mertens, hailing from Leuven, began his footballing journey with Gent, where he spent two years, largely on loan to Eendracht Aalst. In 2009, he moved to Utrecht, making 69 appearances and scoring 17 goals. His career then took a significant turn when he joined PSV Eindhoven, where his performances caught the eye of the Italian side Napoli. At Napoli, Mertens truly made his mark, spending nearly eight years with the club, amassing over 300 appearances and netting 113 goals. His impressive tenure included winning the Supercoppa Italiana in 2014 and lifting the Coppa Italia in the 2013-14 and 2019-20 seasons.
After almost a decade in Italy, Mertens moved to Galatasaray, where his impact continued to be felt. Since joining the Turkish giants, Galatasaray has secured two Super Lig titles and the Turkish Super Cup in 2023. Despite his advancing age, Mertens remains a crucial player for Galatasaray, consistently bringing his experience and skill to bear in critical moments. His ability to deliver precise balls into the opposition’s box and maintain the team’s attacking momentum will be vital. As Galatasaray seeks to overturn their deficit in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Mertens will be key in either scoring or assisting the equalizing goal as swiftly as possible, keeping their European dreams alive.
Filip Ugrinic (Young Boys)
Filip Ugrinic, the 6-foot-tall attacking midfielder from Switzerland, had a mixed performance in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifier, but he proved his mettle when it counted most. Despite not having his best match initially, Ugrinic rose to the occasion by converting a crucial 86th-minute penalty, giving Young Boys a vital late lead. This goal was the decisive factor that allowed them to head into the second leg with confidence and a slight advantage. Ugrinic started his professional journey with Luzern, where he made over 100 appearances and scored 20 goals. After a loan spell at FC Emmen, he joined Young Boys in 2022, where he has since become a key player, scoring 5 goals in 53 appearances.
Additionally, he has made two appearances for the Switzerland national team, building on his contributions to Switzerland’s U18, U19, and U21 squads. During his time with Young Boys, he helped the team clinch both the Swiss Super League and the Swiss Cup in the 2022-23 season. Understanding the precariousness of a single-goal lead, Ugrinic will be eager to help Young Boys extend their advantage to two or even three goals. He will be instrumental in capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities to seal the match early, ensuring that Galatasaray are left with no chance of mounting a comeback. His ability to step up in critical moments could once again prove decisive in determining Young Boys’ European destiny.
Match facts
- Galatasaray won two games in their last five matches.
- Young Boys also won two of their last five matches.
- Young Boys lead the aggregate score by a slender margin of 3-2.
Galatasaray vs Young Boys: Betting Tips and Odds
- Tip 1 – Galatasaray to win the match
- Tip 2 – Dries Mertens to score first
- Tip 3 – Goals over 0.5
Injury and team news
Galatasaray are set to miss the presence of Davison Sanchez due to an injury concern. Bardakci will find his name in the list of absentees after he picked up two yellow cards in the first leg.
Young Boys are set to miss the presence of Patric Pfeiffer and Saidy Janko due to injury concerns.
Head-to-head record
These two sides met for the first time in the first leg of the UCL playoffs, where Young Boys got the getter of the Turkish outfit by a narrow margin.
Predicted lineup
Galatasaray predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Muslera (GK); Jelert, Nelsson, Balatci, Kohn; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi
Young Boys predicted lineup (4-4-2)
von Ballmoos (GK); Blum, Camara, Zoukrou, Hadjam; Monteiro, Niasse, Lauper, Colley; Ganvoula, Ugrinic
Match prediction for SK Galatasaray vs Young Boys
We expect SK Galatasaray to clinch a hard-fought goal to equalise the aggregate score and take the match to penalties. In penalties, our gut feeling says, Young Boys will triumph victorious over the Turkish outfit in sudden death.
Prediction: SK Galatasaray 3-3 Young Boys. Young Boys to win 6-5 on penalties.
Telecast for SK Galatasaray vs Young Boys
India – TBD
UK – TNT Sports 1, discovery+
US – Paramount+, ViX
Nigeria – TBD
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