Galatasaray vs St Johnstone
UEFA Europa League, KO: 19:00 Aug 5, 2021, Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium
ST JOHNSTONE start their Europa League campaign with a trip to one of the great names of European football when they face Galatasaray in Istanbul.
However, the days of the Turkish side's famous and feared ‘Welcome to Hell' approach appear to be long gone and Saints might not be the enormous outsiders they look on paper.
For a start, the game won't even be played in Galatasaray's intimidating Türk Telekom Stadium with the game switched to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium – named after the current manager of the club – which is expected to only be half full.
And this is a Galatasaray side who are a shadow of their former glory days. They've gone two years without winning anything in Turkey and were absolutely taken apart in the second qualifying round by PSV Eindhoven, who thrashed them 7-2 on aggregate. They have also yet to start their league season.
Veteran iconic striker Radamel Falcao has been told to find a new club. although the Turks have signed a host of new players ahead of the tie, including Celtic target Sacha Boey, ex-Crystal Palace star Patrick Van Aanholt and Berkan Kutlu
St Johnstone started their own league campaign with an underwhelming goalless draw in Dingwall against Ross County, but they will be well up for this encounter.
How the bookies view it
The hosts are huge favourites at 2/7 with Mansionbet. The Perth side can be backed at a massive 11/1 with SBK and the draw is 43/10 with Tonybet.
Recent head to heads
The sides have never met before in any competition.
Players to watch
Mbaye Diagne is back at the club after being sent on loan to West Brom for the second half of last season. He netted 11 goals for Galatasaray last season before being shipped to England and scored a consolation for them in their loss to PSV.
Chris Kane was only used as a sub for Saints at the weekend with a view to the huge shift he will have to put in on Thursday. He isn't prolific, but had a great season last term and could be a key man for Callum Davidson's side.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bookies seem to think this is a foregone conclusion, but Saints will fancy getting through this tie, especially with the second leg at McDiarmid Park.
The double cup-winning heroes proved last season they fear no one and if they can handle the heat and humidity of Istanbul, they can at least keep the tie alive against a rusty Galatasaray side living on past glories.
Saints are evens to score with bet365 and they will get chances against a team who clearly struggle to defend.
Rarely do a well-organised St Johnstone side take many doings either, so the 10/11 on them with a two-goal start on the handicap looks a great shout with Genting bet.
And it's far from impossible St Johnstone could avoid a defeat too. The 13/5 double chance with Paddy Power looks overpriced.
This UEFA Europa League match between Galatasaray and St Johnstone will be played on Aug 5, 2021 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Galatasaray vs St Johnstone prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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