Chelsea v Galatasaray

Champions League Round of 16

Stamford Bridge

18-03-2014 @ 19.45

How are the two teams form?

Despite losing to Aston Villa during the weekend, Chelsea are still 1st in the Premier League four points ahead of Liverpool. Their opponents tomorrow are unbeaten in 14 matches in the Superlig and  haven't lost at home this season. However, the match tomorrow is played at Stamford Bridge where Galatasaray lost 1-0 last time they visited Chelsea in the Champions League.

What are the probable lineups?

Chelsea are without Ashley Cole , Tomas Kalas, David Luiz and Marco van Ginkel for the match while Galatasaray are without Emre Colak and Aydin Yilmaz.

Cech

Ivanovic - Terry - Cahill - Azpilicueta

Ramires - Matic

Willian - Oscar - Hazard

Eto'o

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Drogba - Yilmaz

Sneijder - Melo - Inan - Hajrovic

Telles - Balta - Chedjou - Eboué

Muslera

What to expect from this match?

Galatasaray showed that there is a reason why they are among the final 16 teams in the Champions League in the first meeting between the two sides. This week, they have the chance of sending Chelsea out in the dark, but it is not an easy task at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea fans will welcome Didier Drogba welcome back at their ground well knowing he can be the man sending them out. Chelsea have the away goal from first meeting on their side, and play a defensive match. However, with opponents as Drogba and Sneijder Chelsea can not feel safe until the final whistle. Galatasaray will have to get forward, so I am expecting a well played match with a high amount of chances in both ends of the pitch.

What are the odds?

Bet365 has Chelsea as favorites with a 2/5 odds while a draw pays best betting with Unibet who offers an odds of 4. Galatasaray gives an odds 8 with Betfair.

Didier Drogba welcomes his old pals to Türk Telekom Arena is the Match of the Week between Galatasaray and Chelsea.

Galatasaray v Chelsea 

Champions League 1/8-finals Round 1

Türk Telekom Arena

26-02-2014 @ 19.45 UK

How are the two teams form?

The home side, Galatasaray, are currently second in the Turkish Superlig and are unbeaten in 11 matches. In fact, the Turks have not lost at home in any competition this season. Burak Yilmaz is the current top scorer for Galatasaray with 12 goals and is third on the top scorer list in Turkey.

Chelsea are first in the Premier League after a late win against Everton on Saturday. The Pensioners are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches and goes into the Champions League match with confidence. Eden Hazard is the top scorer with 12 goals in the Premier League this season.

The last meeting between the two sides was in 1999 where they both were playing in the Champions League Group H. Back then Chelsea won both meetings 5-0 and 1-0 respectively.

What are the probable line ups?

Aydin Yilmaz is the only player on the Galatasaray injury list while Chelsea's contains Tomas Kalas and Luiz. Furthermore, Oscar is rated doubtful for the match.

Muslera

Chedjou - Kaya - Zan

Eboué - Inan - Felipe Melo - Riera

Sneijder

Drogba - Yilmaz

_________________________________________

Eto'o

Hazard - Oscar - Willian

Matic - Ramires

Azpilicueta - Cahill - Terry - Ivanovic

Cech

What to expect from this match?

On paper, Chelsea are the favorites in this match but the fact that Galatasaray have not lost at home this season gives the Turks a chance. Galatasaray will probably take a more defensive stand in this match and let the visitors take the initiative to create chances. The big question is if Jose Mourinho will spare some of the profiles and put more focus on the tight battle in the Premier League rather than progressing in the Champions League. No matter what Mourinho decides, I will be surprised if Chelsea doesn't win in Turkey. 

What are the odds?

According to Oddschecker.com, Chelsea are the favorites with the odds 1 at most bookmakers. Bet365 holds the best bet on a Galatasaray win with 10/3 while a draw gives a 5/2 at Bwin.

1. Red Star Belgrade – FK Partizan (Serbia)

   Also known as The Belgrade Derby or the

   Enternal Derby

The Belgrade Derby is not only one of the most violent and evil derbies in Serbia, but in the world. The origin of the derby went out of political institutions as Red start was formed by the United Alliance of anti-fascist Youth of Serbians in Yugoslavia, while Partizan was formed as a club of Yougoslav People’s Army. This Derby is not only a political clash, but also a battle of being the most popular club in Serbia. A race Red star is winning at the moment.

The violence in this derby is not only taken place outside the stadiums. In 1999, on Red Start fan was killed when Partizan Ultras fired a handheld flare launcher against the Red Star end of the stadium. As late as in November 2011, Red Start fans bombarded Partizan players during a match.

3.    Cracovia – Wisla Krakow (Poland)

      Also known as The Holy War

As most rivalries, politic or religion is behind. In Poland, Wisla Krakow was originally owned by the communist police, while Cracovia has jewish roots. The stadiums are only 500 meters apart, and fans of both clubs live sides by side. This gives tensions.

The two combating firms have several murders on their conscience, and they are not only fighting between them. In 2007, Wisla Krakow hooligans killed a Korona Kielce fan because the club had been allied with Cracovia.

 4.    Fenerbache – Galatasaray (Turkey)
       Also known as The Istanbul Derby

The Istanbul Derby divides the city in two; those who are Fenerbache fans and those who are Galatasaray fans. The derby is a clash between social classes as Fenerbache is representing the working class, while Galatasaray is representing the wealthy elite in the city.

As many other derbies, The Istanbul is often violent and have claimed several lives through time as well as started riots. In May 2000, Galatasaray and Arsenal fans started a riot, in Copenhagen, Denmark after the UEFA Cup Final.