Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid
When Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid walk out onto the pitch at the Rams Park on Wednesday they will face a deafening roar of 50,000 home fans; and it will take all their courage, and 100 per cent focus to leave Galatasaray with some points.
Okan Buruk’s Lions are not in the best of moods, recently losing the Super Cup final to fierce rivals Fenerbahce and they are in desperate need of points in Europe. This match, Champions League: Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid is 18th versus eighth; los Rojiblancos sit in the automatic route to the Round of 16 in the league table, while the Turks are in a play-off spot, but within reach of a seeded place.
Galatasaray come into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Gazisehir Gaziantep while Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo Alaves 1-0 to cement their top four place in La Liga. The Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid betting odds have Los Rojiblancos as favourites to win this clash but, in a ground traditionally festooned with ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners it is not going to be a pleasant evening for Spanish players and fans…they just want to go, do the job and leave with a result.
Talking Points
Osimhen has a point to prove
One point clear of Fenerbahce at the top of the Turkish Super Lig and seeking a fourth consecutive league title the Lions are the kings of their domain though Fenerbahce are snapping at their heels. So Buruk will welcome back star striker Victor Osimhen from the African Cup of Nations after Nigeria bowed out at the semi-final stage, losing on penalties to hosts Morocco. And the Super Eagles won’t be in the USA this summer having missed out on World Cup qualification.
Osimhen, at 27 years of age, is now in the prime of his career, but his stock has fallen since 2023, when he fired Napoli to a first Scudetto in 30 years with 26 goals in 32 games to become the first African to win the Capocanonniere. He was the most in-demand striker in world football but things turned sour the following season and, after a successful loan period at Galatasaray, he made a permanent move last summer in a 75m Euros deal.
He didn’t start in the AFCON third place play-off and Osimhen will be fit and firing for Galatasaray when they try to put their Super Cup loss behind them and take their frustration out on Atletico. With the likes of Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan and Mauro Icardi in this creative unit, the Lions have plenty of firepower and Osimhen will be all over the Rojiblancos defence on Wednesday night.
Atleti are ticking along nicely
While city rivals Real Madrid have been in a state of turmoil and Barcelona fell to a surprise loss away to Real Sociedad on Sunday, it has been business as usual for Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who are up to fourth in the Primera Division, eight points behind leaders Barcelona and seven clear of fifth placed Espanyol. And los Rojiblancos are in the Copa del Rey fifth round and going well in Europe.
Atleti’s recent clash with Inter Milan was a big test of Simeone’s European aspirations and they passed that test with a 2-1 win, with the in-form Julian Alvarez on target, and they followed that up with a 3-2 win away to PSV Eindhoven to climb up into the top eight.
Next up, Galatasaray presents another opportunity and this settled and focussed team will not flinch from the challenge.
History
The head to head Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid results are yet to see a Turkish success, with three wins and two draws for the Spaniards and two wins and one draw at the Rams Park, as los Rojiblancos escaped with a 2-0 win when they last visited in 2015.
In terms of recent form Galatasaray have won three, drawn two and lost one of the last six games while Atletico have won four matches, drawn one and lost one.
Betting Tip
Galatasaray are at SBOTOP odds of 3.30 to win this match, with Atletico Madrid at 2.00 and the Draw is at 3.80. Clearly all three outcomes are well in play and we can make a good case for any. The Rams Park is one of the most difficult places to visit and, with the firepower of Osimhen and co, the Lions will go for the kill against the Spaniards.
But Atletico Madrid are hugely experienced in Europe and they will make it hard for the hosts. I think Los Rojiblancos will leave Turkey with something, and I expect goals but not an avalanche in a hard fought tie.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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