Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.
Chelsea vs Galatasaray | Tuesday 18 March | Stamford Bridge | 21:45
Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini share quite an intimate history, whilst experiencing rather contrasting fortunes in Europe’s elite club competition. Mourinho is looking to become the first manager to lift the trophy with three clubs, having already guided the unfashionable Porto and Inter Milan to the honour. Roberto Mancini has won a veritable smorgasbord of domestic honours, but his failure to deliver the big European crown has effectively seen him dismissed from two jobs; firstly at Inter, having won three consecutive Scudettos, and of course at City, where he delivered league glory and was subsequently booted. So this promises to be an exhilarating tactical battle, with true European credentials in the spotlight.
To Win (90mins)
Chelsea 4/10
Draw 7/2
Galatasaray 66/10
Chelsea
Chelsea’s deflating defeat to Aston Villa in the league has invited the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal squarely into the title contest. Their first leg against Galatasaray started off tremendously, and Mourinho will know that his side missed out on a wonderful opportunity to bury the game before Mancini made some inspired tactical alterations to the side. Having said that, Torres’ away goal may still prove to be a vital determining factor in the fate of this tie.
Mourinho will likely start Ramires and Lampard in the holding roles, his preferred defensive midfield selection in Europe. Eto’o has proven the most successful striker for Chelsea at home this season and should get the nod up front. Hazard, Oscar and Willian should provide a dynamic triangle behind Eto’o, while Chelsea’s defensive system is a well oiled machine. Hazard’s ability to cut in and go outside should prove a telling factor when these two sides collide.
Galatasaray
The largest ovation at Stamford Bridge will obviously be reserved for the return of the king, Didier Drogba. Drogba’s winning penalty in the European Cup final for Chelsea will forever be seared into the psyche of the collective Chelsea consciousness. Roberto Mancini will be wondering which formation will best utilise the obvious physical talents of the big Ivorian. Wesley Sneijder’s abilities as a playmaker will be vital to Galatasaray having any hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.
Mancini will almost certainly start Yekta Kurtulus in place of Hajrovic, a switch that completely changed the complexion of the match in Istanbul. Mancini would have to admit that he made a naive tactical error by starting with such an overly adventurous formation in Turkey, where his side looked like they could be overrun for a period. Kurtulus will have a vital role to play in curtailing the creative triangle of Chelsea. The combative instincts of both Inan and Melo will also prove vital in determining the victors of that midfield battle. I still feel that Eboue could be a liability away from home, particularly given his history as an Arsenal player.
BEST: Both Teams to Score 21/20
Despite sitting atop the Premier League and starting overwhelming favourites in this European fixture, Chelsea still are not the finished article, clearly lacking a proper focal point such as Lewandowski or Falcao. This could prove to be a study in jangling nerves for even the most confident Chelsea fan, as Galatasaray look to play a more measured game than the one they erroneously set out to implement in Turkey. It will all come down to the extra creative power of that midfield three, while Drogba enjoys a night that will most certainly appeal to his egocentric impulse. Without wanting to call it either way , the Both Teams to Score market offers great value. Get on it.
