Tottenham Hotspur continues their Europa League journey on Thursday evening as they travel to Istanbul’s Rams Park to face an in-form Galatasaray side.
Also Read: Cristian Romero and Richarlison Injury Update as Spurs Prepare for Galatasaray
Both clubs have made strong starts to their campaigns, promising an intense clash under the Turkish night sky.
Match Preview
Tottenham, competing in the Europa League for the first time since 2019, has been flawless so far. Victories over Qarabag, Ferencvaros, and AZ Alkmaar have put Ange Postecoglou’s squad at the top, tied on points with Lazio. Their recent domestic triumph, a 4-1 comeback win against Aston Villa, highlights Spurs’ resilience and attacking flair. Yet, despite their strong form at home, Tottenham’s last two away outings have ended in defeat, and they have painful memories of Istanbul, having lost 1-0 to Besiktas back in 2014.
Galatasaray’s Challenge
Galatasaray sits just behind Spurs in the Europa League table, accumulating seven points with a thrilling attacking style. Their matches have been anything but dull, marked by a 3-1 victory over PAOK, a 2-2 draw with Rigas Futbola Skola where they squandered a two-goal lead, and a narrow 4-3 win against Elfsborg.
The Turkish giants are on an 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and are full of confidence after a 2-1 derby win over Besiktas that further solidified their lead in the Super Lig. Now, they seek to bolster their European campaign with a win over English opposition—a feat they’ve managed only once in their last six encounters, a memorable 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in last season’s Champions League.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Galatasaray will be without left-back Ismail Jakobs due to a knee injury, but first-choice goalkeeper Fernando Muslera returns from suspension to resume duties. In defense, former Tottenham player Davinson Sanchez, fresh from scoring in the Besiktas match, is expected to partner with Abdulkerim Bardakci. Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Sara should anchor the midfield, while star loanee Victor Osimhen, with four goals in his last three appearances, may start alongside or replace Mauro Icardi.
Tottenham, on the other hand, faces injury woes. Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, and Wilson Odobert are sidelined with hamstring issues. Additionally, Christian Romero, who exited early in the win over Villa due to a foot injury, remains doubtful. Djed Spence’s availability is uncertain as he recovers from a groin problem. Ben Davies may step in at center-back alongside Radu Dragusin if Romero is ruled out. Postecoglou could also rotate in James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner, and young prospect Mikey Moore.
Probable Lineups:
- Galatasaray: Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Kohn; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen.
- Tottenham: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bergvall, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Werner.
Prediction and Atmosphere
Galatasaray’s home ground, known for its fierce and electric atmosphere, will be a test for Spurs, especially with Postecoglou potentially fielding a makeshift defense. While Tottenham seeks to extend their winning streak, the Lions are well-positioned to challenge their perfect record, potentially forcing a draw or even snatching a win to shake up the standings.
