It's now or never for Manchester United in Champions League Group A with English Premier League side on the brink of being knocked out of the competition.
A defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul would knock United out, while even a draw might not be enough depending on the result between Copenhagen and Bayern Munich elsewhere in the group.
As a result, Erik ten Hag's side will need to put their best foot forward from the very start here and hope to build on their promising domestic form, winning five of their past six Premier League outings after defeating Everton 3-0 at the weekend.
European competition remains a much more difficult proposition for United though, especially after a 4-3 loss to Copenhagen last time out in this tournament highlighted their fragile defensive nature. That was also seen in their 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray on matchday two, an outcome that the home side will be desperate to repeat. The Sporting News previews the game here.
MORE: UEFA Champions League group stage standings, results, schedule
Galatasaray vs Manchester United match facts
- Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
- Kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local (12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT)
- Location: RAMS Park (Istanbul, Turkey)
- Last meeting: Manchester United 2-3 Galatasaray (Oct. 3, 2023 | Champions League)
Galatasaray vs Manchester United prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+280)
- Score prediction: Galatasaray 2-2 Manchester United
| GAL win |
Draw | MNU win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings (USA) |
+170 | +280 | +145 | -190 / +155 | -160 / +130 |
Galatasaray vs Manchester United best bet
- Pick: Manchester United over 2.5 cards
- Odds: +125 (DraftKings)
For our best bet in this clash between Galatasaray and Manchester United, we're going to pick over 2.5 cards for the away side.
Granted, United haven't been too indisciplined this season, especially in the Premier League as they've picked up just 26 yellow cards in 13 matches but we're expecting fireworks here in Turkey.
That's because as far as atmospheres go, the Gala faithful deliver one of the most intimidating in football and it could have an impact on the travelling players here. Additionally, if United fall behind in this match, it's likely to become a wide open match with the home side counterattacking, which always increases the chance of bookings for cynical trips and the like.
It should also be noted that in the return fixture at Old Trafford Casemiro was sent off, a fate that also befell Marcus Rashford away to Copenhagen in United's last Champions League outing, as their ill-discipline reared its head in this competition.
Galatasaray vs Manchester United flier bet
- Pick: Over 2.5 goals scored, Wilfried Zaha to score anytime & Rasmus Hojlund to score or assist
- Odds: +800 (DraftKings)
With the visitors needing a result in this clash to have any chance of progression in the Champions League this season, we're expecting them to fly out of the traps to try and grab an early goal.
They looked strong from an attacking sense in a 3-0 victory over Everton at the weekend and with Bruno Fernandes getting back to his best, expect them to get on the scoresheet again here even in the absence of the suspended Rashford.
That said, United have looked poor defensively in this competition, conceding 11 times in four matches ahead of this matchday, which is the third-worst such tally behind Celtic and Royal Antwerp. They also conceded three times to Galatasaray in the reverse at Old Trafford, before going on to ship four in Copenhagen last time out. It means they're unlikely to keep a clean sheet here.
We're also going to add Wilfried Zaha to score anytime to our selection here as the ex-United winger netted in the reverse fixture, while he's been in great form overall of late for the hosts. He's scored five times in 10 league matches, including four in his previous three games.
Then finally, we're also adding Rasmus Hojlund to score or assist for United to take this bet's odds up to +800 with DraftKings. The Danish forward was injured at the weekend with Antony Martial getting the nod from Ten Hag. And although the Frenchman scored, Hojlund should be fit again and he enters this game as the competition's joint-topscorer with five goals in four outings so far.
Create a parlay of both selections for +2100 here at DraftKings