Galatasaray vs Sparta Prague Prediction: The Lions to roar loudest in Istanbul

Galatasaray and Sparta Prague clash at Rams Park, Istanbul on Thursday (17:45) in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off tie.

Galatasaray collected just five points from their six group games in the Champions League this season, but that was enough to finish third and drop down to the Europa League.

As for Sparta, they ended up second behind Rangers in Europa League Group C and have been handed a tough assignment to reach the last-16 stage of the competition.

Team News

Galatasaray are without on-loan Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech, who picked up an ankle injury while playing for Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Abdulkerim Bardakci is struggling with a hamstring issue and is a major doubt, Sergio Oliveira's availability is also uncertain because of a muscle problem, while Derrick Kohn was not included in the Europa League squad.

Sparta will have to do without long-term absentee Andreas Vindheim, while Lukas Haraslin was absent for the victory over Karvina at the weekend and is expected to miss out again.

Match Odds

Galatasaray are the 7/10 favourites to pick up the win, with the draw priced at 11/4 and Sparta the 4/1 outsiders.

In the Turkish outfit's six Champions League group stage games this season, both teams to score landed in five of those and it is 4/5 for that bet to be successful again.

Galatasaray to win and both teams to score @ 12/5

Both teams are in terrific form heading into this contest, with Galatasaray on an eight-game winning streak in all competitions that has seen them open up a two-point lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.

Sparta are also looking to make it nine victories in a row and they have a more comfortable advantage at the Czech Liga summit, with five points the gap to second-place Slavia Prague.

However, Brian Priske's side only returned to action after the winter break at the weekend and although they ran out easy 3-0 winners at Karvina, the lack of playing time compared to their hosts could be telling.

Galatasaray have won their last nine home assignments, scoring 24 times during that run, but they have conceded in six of those fixtures and that should provide Sparta with the belief that they can get on the scoresheet.

The Czech outfit scored in all three away games in the Europa League this season, while they have netted in each of their last 15 away matches in all competitions.

Kerem Akturkoglu to score anytime @ 9/5

Turkey international Kerem Akturkoglu is enjoying a strong scoring season for Galatasaray, notching nine times in the league and three times in the Champions League.

The 25-year-old grabbed a brace in the home victory over Istanbulspor towards the end of January and he looks capable of finding the back of the net on Thursday.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.