Galatasaray–Liverpool

Here we go. 16 teams remain, only the best of the best. The loudmouths from Galatasaray managed to pull off the feat, and will be reunited with the boys from Liverpool. The latter has six major trophies in the cupboard at Anfield, but that doesn't mean you just go to Turkey and secure a good starting point before the return leg in England. Because the home team is good. They are tough, they have some absolutely magical fans, and they manage to create a pot at home time and time again that can make anyone splash a little in their shorts. In fact, these two met in the regular season, and the points stayed with the yellow and burgundy. The match was of the interesting kind, with great chances on both sides. That in the end you only saw 1-0 on the scoreboard was a bit unbelievable. But now it's about advancing to the last eight, and if the home team is to make it through that eye of the needle, a lot has to be done in the first match. Liverpool probably knows what awaits – but are they ready for it?

Galatasaray – Passion put into a system

Because there is something special about this team from Istanbul. As one of the three big Turkish teams, they are easy to spot. The kits themselves stand out, but the fans also make sure you know they are in town. Passionate, loud, and with a huge lung capacity. Galatasaray, who won the UEFA Cup 26 years ago, was actually founded by fellow students in Istanbul at the time, and was for a while a club run on a hobby basis. This was a long time ago now, and today there is little to suggest a club that can be taken lightly. Back home in Turkey, they are a feared opponent, no matter where in the world you come from.

In the regular season, they hosted Liverpool at the end of September. As mentioned, the match ended 1-0, but don't be fooled. The home team recorded an xG of 1.33, while the visitors ended up with almost 2. A total of eight yellow cards were handed out, and the away team had 16 shots, and almost 70% of the ball. Nevertheless, it was a loss for the English, and Galatasaray defended with their hearts on the outside of their shirts. Liverpool should have taken something away from this, however, as they wasted obvious scoring chances, and squandered a great opportunity to move into the top of the group stage. It went well for both teams in the end anyway.

The home team is delivering some thrilling matches. They are scoring goals at a low level, and even in this year's edition of the Champions League, they have put big teams in place. We can't talk about the Turks without mentioning the play-off matches against Juventus. The home match was won with a huge score of 5-2, and with that a justified hope of a good promotion. The return match in Turin was temporarily a hectic battle, and after 3-0 to Juventus, extra time was needed. The Turks drew the longest straw, and thus they could beat their chests about being among the last 16 in this year's edition. In a league context, they are flying high, holding the top of the table, and have recorded 59 goals in 25 league matches. Led by Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray will make sure Liverpool is busy on Tuesday.

Liverpool – In search of number seven

There will be no new league title for the reigning champions in England this season. The match on the domestic arena is about the top five. A setback for the all-reds, and not worthy of a champion. Then the Champions League is a welcome break. The team from the Beatles city has looked sharp in this year's tournament, and will we perhaps see Wirtz come to mind more on the continent? He dictates the rhythm, and together with Ekitike and Szoboszlai, the German forms an effective arsenal. The good news for the Reds is that Salah has found his way to the goal in the last two games as well, and perhaps there could be a trace of self-confidence in the quick-footed Egyptian? Liverpool's wings have not been able to do it this season, so there is a lot to go on here. Gakpo holds the left wing, with young Rio in the gossip mirror. Isak is still injured, and then much of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Ekitike. If you manage to connect Salah and Wirtz, the whole thing looks much more potent.

Heading into the important match in Turkey, Liverpool are going both forward and backward. Advancement in the FA Cup was important, but the league loss against Wolves was downright embarrassing. Had they won this, they would have been in joint third place, and things would have looked a bit more comfortable. But the reality is that they are not quite there, and the two matches against the aforementioned Wolves revealed their weaknesses. One ended in a 1-2 loss, the other with a 3-1 win. They are unable to keep opponents at bay, and in some of the matches they are unable to find a way out offensively. The loss of Diaz and Jota is still obvious. In particular, the energy of Diaz on the left wing has not been able to be recreated.

A good starting point is what it's all about. The problem is that you can't dictate the pace and temperature in Istanbul. Here you end up straight into the circus tent from the first whistle, and from there on out it's just a matter of avoiding going straight into the bar. The noise level is high, the duels are numerous, and the cards fly in all directions. It can simply be the alpha and omega to keep all eleven on the field for the match. The match from last autumn showed that you will have chances, but this time you have to take them. Welcoming the Turks to Anfield with 0-2 as a starting point can be extremely tough. Here you have to be sharper, and in a match that is expected to wave back and forth, the Reds' offensive cards must at least do the job. We imagine an open affair!

Conclusion – All the ingredients end up in the pot on Tuesday

This will be a real football match. Kick-off at 18:45 is the first match out of the round of 16. We have already mentioned the surroundings, but it cannot be stressed enough. Rams Park with its more than 50 thousand in the stands will shake from early afternoon. As the teams stroll onto the grass, the entire facility trembles, and only those with an inner stoic calm can control their own pulse. It is in these matches that you need the types. You know, the ones who have been there for everything. The ones who have seen everything. Both Copenhagen and London if you like. The guys with hair on their chests and an icy gaze. For the away team, this is the Dutch giant in defense, the Brazilian in goal, and the Egyptian on the flank. The ones that the others look to when things are boiling, and the ones who set the course and bring the ship to port. It is types like this that make you move forward, and that you eventually end up fighting for titles. If they don't have the day, it will be tough, terribly tough.

For the home team, it's really just about playing what you know best. Attack. Galatasaray is so much more than just Osimhen, and although the notorious goalscorer is worth his weight in gold, they have both wingers and attacking midfielders who create headaches for opponents. Both Lang and Yilmaz on the wings are real threats, and Gabriel Sara in the middle is having a good day outside of most. Davinson Sanchez in central defense is probably remembered by many from his days in Tottenham, and if you can say anything about this man, it's that he doesn't shy away from a good duel. Ekitike and Wirtz will get some slaps this evening.

If we summarize the match picture we see, we get an interesting match. The home team must press, while the away team must be able to stand it. Galatasaray knows that their best chance is to attack this like they did against Juventus, and even though we don't think this match will end 5-2, we shouldn't discount the fact that they will get a few goals on Tuesday. That's the ticket for the home team. Liverpool, for their part, must be more effective with the ball in front of goal than in the autumn, and take advantage of all the chances we think they will have. If they do that, while the mainstays of the team manage to keep their heads clear, this will be a good starting point for the English. But we don't dare to mark. We have seen what the Turks are good for at home, so here we will settle for a goal game. Feel free to also bet on cards, because there will most likely be more of them. The match is worth watching - because here it will be a pressure cooker from the start. Just pay attention to the start time!

Europe at 18:45: Galatasaray - Liverpool: Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals total (1.75)

Alternative game

Europe at 18:45: Galatasaray - Liverpool: Szoboszlai over 1.5 shots on target (3.60)