Can FK Zalgiris upset Turkish giants Galatasaray?

VMFD Zalgiris vs Galatasaray SK - 25/07/2023

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Lithuania’s FK Zalgiris will host Turkish giants Galatasaray on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.

FK Zalgiris reached the second round of qualifying thanks to a 2-1 aggregate win over North Macedonia’s Struga in the previous round.

Galatasaray will kick off their 2023-24 campaign with a trip to Lithuania.

The Lions have not played a competitive match since June. It is an early start for Galatasaray.

Despite winning the Turkish Superlig last season, Galatasaray are forced to start the UEFA Champions League in the second qualifying round.

It shows the current level of quality and competition in Turkey that Gala must begin the tournament in the second qualifying round.

FK Zalgiris won the 2022 edition of the A Lyga. This season, the team is off the title pace and sit in fifth place, 22 points off first-place Panevezys.

The Green-Whites have likely put a focus on the Champions League qualifying rounds, taking their eyes off the domestic front.

FK Zalgiris manager Vladimir Cheburin could use a 4-4-2 formation against Galatasaray. It could help the team slow down the Turkish side.

On paper, Galatasaray have the better-quality players. Manager Okan Buruk.

The Lions have added several strong players in the offseason, including left-back Angelino, forward Cedric Bakambu, and defender Kaan Ayhan.

Perhaps the team’s biggest signing was announced over the weekend, as former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha joined the club.

Zaha is unlikely to feature after just signing a contract. Meanwhile, Bakambu is also unlikely to feature.

The Turkish champions have one injury issue, as midfielder Lucas Torreira is still recovering from a knee issue.

Dries Mertens could start in attack, with midfield support from former Roma player Nicolo Zaniolo.

FK Zalgiris’s dangerman is forward Mathias Oyewusi. He has 14 goals on the domestic front. Yury Kendysh has four goals in the league.

Kendysh scored against Sturga in the previous qualifying round. The midfielder arrived from FC Riga in the offseason.

Cheburin has no fresh injuries to worry about ahead of the fixture. He will be able to select his strongest squad to face Galatasaray.

The Turkish team could start slowly playing away in Lithuania. The home crowd will be behind FK Zalgiris from kick-off.

Moreover, FK Zalgiris are in the middle of their domestic season, making their players fitter for the fixture.

Gala’s most recent match on July 18, a friendly against Austria’s Sturm Graz, ended in a loss. Buruk won’t have the entire squad available, and it could lead to a 2-1 loss against FK Zalgiris.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UCL

VMFD Zalgiris Galatasaray SK 25/07/2023 18:00

392338

1

2 - 1

2.95

24°

4.75

4.75 4.20 1.65 no no no

FT

2 - 2(0 - 0)

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