Liverpool will look to overturn a one-goal deficit as they welcome Turkish champions Galatasaray to Anfield on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Galatasaray travel to Anfield with a one-goal advantage, as an early goal from ex-Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over the Reds in the first leg in Istanbul last week.
Okan Buruk’s visitors have already knocked out Juventus in the Champions League playoff round, but they travel to Merseyside having lost four of their five away matches in the competition this season, with their sole victory coming against a poor Ajax side.
Cimbom stretched their lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig to seven points on Sunday, as they scored three second-half goals to give them a 3-0 victory over 10-man Istanbul Basaksehir.
Liverpool, on the other hand, dropped points for the second consecutive match in the Premier League on Sunday, as a late Richarlison goal saw the Reds draw 1-1 at home to struggling Tottenham.
Nevertheless, that point moved them above Chelsea into fifth position in the Premier League table and put them within two points of Aston Villa in fourth.
Arne Slot’s men have won three of their four Champions League encounters at Anfield this season (W3-D0-L1) – including wins over both Atletico and Real Madrid – with their only loss coming in that surprise 1-4 thrashing by runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV.
How the bookies view it: Reds still clear favourites to advance
Despite losing the first leg 1-0 last week, Liverpool are still clear favourites to advance to the quarter-finals, with bet365 pricing the Reds at 4/11 To Qualify, with the win inside 90 minutes just 1/4.
Despite their one-goal advantage, Galatasaray are 2/1 To Qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012/13, with their only loss win inside 90 minutes a massive 9/1.
Head to head: Home a big advantage
These two clubs have met on six occasions since the turn of the century, with Galatasaray having the upper hand, winning three and losing just once (W3-D2-L1).
All three of those victories have come in Istanbul – including a pair of 1-0 wins this season – with their only loss Reds winning 3-2 in their last meeting at Anfield in the group stages of the Champions League in the 2006/07 season.
Players to watch: Szoboszlai to strike again in Europe?
Dominik Szoboszlai looked as if he was going to be the match-winner for Liverpool on Sunday, as he scored one of his trademark free-kicks against Spurs before Richarlison’s late strike cancelled that out.
The Hungarian international has been terrific in form in Europe this season, scoring four goals and providing four assists across his eight appearances in Europe this season – providing a goal contribution in seven of those matches – and the 4/5 on offer at bet365 for him to Score or Assist at Anfield on Wednesday night appeals to me.
The match-winner in the first leg, Mario Lemina, has been booked in six of his last 11 appearances for Galatasaray – as well as in the first meeting between these sides back in September – and is 6/4 at bet365 to be carded again on Wednesday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Liverpool will still be missing Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak through injury.
Galatasaray will be without ex-Spurs defender Davidson Sanchez through suspension.
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike
Galatasaray: Cakir, Boey, Singo, Bardacki, Jakobs, Torreira, Lemina, Yilmaz, Sara, Lang, Osimhen
Anything else catch the eye?
Galatasaray have already beaten Liverpool twice this season, but both of those victories came in Istanbul, and I expect the Reds to get their revenge at Anfield tomorrow.
The Lions don’t tend to travel well in Europe and were fortunate against Juventus in the previous round, as they required extra time to knock-out their 10-man hosts despite travelling to Turin with a three-goal advantage.
Finding value is tough given how short a price Arne Slot’s men are, but a Liverpool Win & Under 4.5 Goals pays 19/20 at Coral/Ladbrokes, which appeals.
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