Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Galatasaray
Match Time & Date:
23/10/2024
10:30 AM
Prediction: 3-1
Elfsborg
Following a shocking 2-2 draw with RFS, Galatasaray will look to start a new winning run in the Europa League when they welcome Elfsborg to their Rams Park on Wednesday. Summer signing Victor Osimhen remains in the recovery room, alongside Hakim Ziyech and Ismail Jakobs, but the Turks are still seen as hot favourites to win this match. In Osimhen’s absence, Mauro Icardi is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
Elfsborg, on the other hand, suffered a dip in form in Allsvenskan, losing to both Sirius (1-4) and Hacken (1-3) in the last two league matches and given their shaky defence, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the home side. Talented Elfsborg tactician Oscar Hiljemark should have a full squad to choose from for the first ever meeting between the two clubs in European competitions.
Highlighted Player (Kaan Ayhan):
The Turkish-German defender, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, started playing football in his hometown, Gelsenkirchen, for the Schalke 04 youth academy when he was only four years old, in 1999. He signed his first professional contract in January 2018, but had to wait for his debut for almost two years.
Ayhan substituted Adam Szalai in the 4-1 win against Augsburg, on 5th October 2013. His first goal for Die Königsblauen came on May 2014, in a 2-0 win against SC Freiburg. However, the 23-year-old had to look for regular game time elsewhere, so he joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a loan deal. Despite the fact that there was an option of a permanent signing of the Turkish player, Eintracht decided not to use it, since the price was too demanding.
After 17 years at Schalke, Kaan Ayhan joined Fortuna Dusseldorf on August 2016. Even though he played both for Turkey and Germany junior national teams, the center-back decided to pledge his allegiance to Turkey, recording his debut for the Turkish senior team on August 2016, under the famous Fatih Terim.
Highlighted Team (Galatasaray):
Over the years Galatasaray have established themselves as one of the best teams in Turkey. The Aslanlar (the Lions) were founded back in October 1905 by Ali Sami Yen and fellow students of Galatasaray High School. Ali Sami Yen himself was the club’s first president and, as a result, he was given the club’s membership No. 1.
The Gala are one of the most successful Turkish teams and it has to be noted that they won their 21st Super Lig trophy in the 2017/2018 season. The capital club collected 75 points from possible 102, with the team finishing the season three points clear of their bitter rivals Fenerbahce. Speaking of European success, Galatasaray won UEFA Cup in the 1999/2000 season, with the team beating Arsenal on penalties in the title game.
In 2000 the Lions won UEFA Super cup as they outplayed star-studded Real Madrid 2-1 at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Galatasaray play their home games at Turk Telekom Stadi and they are well known for their yellow and red jerseys.
Leicester
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Arsenal
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Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
