Champions League: Reeling Real Need Three Points in Turkey

Galatasaray vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign has gotten off to a very rocky start. The record 13-time winners have picked up just one point in their first two matches and currently find themselves bottom of Group A.

Los Blancos will look to get back on track when they go to Turkey to take on Galatasaray. The Turkish champions are also on one point and are ahead of Real on goal difference.

The Champions League 2019 betting odds still have Real installed as significant favourites away from home. But the Spanish giants just suffered a shock away defeat in La Liga over the weekend and will be desperate to avoid a similar fate in Istanbul.

Talking Points

Real still really inconsistent

Real Madrid remain maddeningly inconsistent this season. They seemed to be turning the corner after their humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. They picked up back-to-back wins — the only time they’ve won two in a row all season — against Sevilla and Osasuna and drew 0-0 away in the first Madrid derby.

But then they drew 2-2 at home to Club Brugge where they had to battle back from two goals down. And after beating Granada 4-2 prior to the international break, they returned to suffer a shock 1-0 away defeat to Mallorca.

Zinedine Zidane was forced to make several changes to his side against Mallorca. Eden Hazard missed out due to the birth of his child, while Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Gareth Bale all didn’t even make the squad after picking up injuries.

Isco, who has been out of favour under Zidane, made a rare start. But the attacking formation which included him, Vinicius Junior, James Rodriguez, and the front two of Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic didn’t seem to work as Real had just four shots on target.

While Modric is once again set to miss out against Galatasaray, Kroos has returned to training and could be back for their trip to Turkey.

Hazard, who has struggled early this season, had by far his best game in his Real career to date as he had a goal and an assist in the win against Granada. He should also be back and ready to make some Champions League 2019 highlights against Galatasaray.

Real Madrid are still win-less in the Champions League — Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane coaching from the touchline

Gala getting back on track

Galatasary have seemingly gotten back on track after going a stretch of five games without a win. Granted, those included a Champions League away match against Club Brugge, a home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and a goalless draw against fierce rivals Fenerbahce.

They picked up a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Sivasspor over the weekend. Romanian striker Florin Andone bagged a brace while Ryan Babel added a third for the defending Turkish champions.

Andone’s promising performance could see him get the start over Radamel Falcao. The veteran Colombian striker has played all 90 minutes in both Champions League matches thus far but has failed to impress for his new side.

After seeing how vulnerable Madrid have been of late — especially against weaker sides like Brugge and Mallorca — Galatasaray should fancy their chances of getting at the Spanish giants.

With the likes of Andone, Ryan Babel, and Younes Belhanda, Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim has the weapons at his disposal to give the Real defence some problems. But that is if they decide to be brave and attack the visitors.

History

Real Madrid and Galatasaray have faced off seven times in European competition. Real have won four of those matches, with Galatasaray winning three.

The two last met in the Champions League group stage in the 2013-14 season. Real won both matches convincingly by an aggregate score of 10-2. They also squared off in the knockout stage back in 2012-13. Real won the first leg at home 3-0 and went through despite losing the second leg in Istanbul, 3-2.

Betting Tip

	Galatasaray vs Real Madrid	Under 3.00 Goals @ 1.80
	October 23, 03:00 (GMT+8)

SBOBET odds have Real Madrid priced as 1.59 favourites on the 1X2 market to get their first Champions League win of the season, with Galatasaray priced at 5.20 and a draw at 4.00.

But I’m opting to go with the over under market, specifically the under. Galatasaray have been quite stingy when it comes to goals; their first two games have produced just one total goal.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have had their struggles away from home. They’ve scored just once in their last four away games. Granted, two of those games were against PSG and Atleti, but with Modric out and Kroos still questionable, they could struggle to create chances against Galatasaray.