This Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, marks the start of the decisive qualification round of the Champions League. We have picked the top game for today’s Champions League bet, and it’s this Olimpija Lubljana v Galatasaray prediction. The first leg will be played in Slovenia, Lubljana, where the hosts have enjoyed a good run of form. Up against them, however, is a very talented and quite expensive Galatasaray squad that aims to make it all the way to the group stage, and perhaps go even further.
Olimpija Lubljana On The Rise
Olimpija fans have been enjoying good results recently. The became champions of Slovenia last season winning Prva Liga with 73 points, six clear of second placed Celje. They also eliminated the dangerous Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the last round, in a very dramatic fashion. After a 1:1 draw in the first leg in Bulgaria, Olimpia took the lead in the second log at home, but Ludogorets levelled the score and started creating the better chances. The Bulgarians received a red card in the second half, and that tipped the tie in favor of the Slovenians. Despite being with a man down, Ludogorets hit the crossbar. In the following attack, Olimpija earned a corner and scored a goal from it in the 90th minute. The mad celebration was soon halted as Ludogorets earned a penalty in the 95th minute, but Olimpija’s goalkeeper made a fine save that ultimately sealed the tie for the Slovenians.
I watched both legs between Olimpija and Ludogorets. Bottom line is that the Slovenieans are a good side. They are not the type of team that would sit back and rely heavily on their defense. They like to go forward and have some goals in them. Their top player is Timi Max Elsnik, who scored all three goals against the Bulgarians. Definitely a huge talent that will soon be sold to one of the top four leagues in Europe. A risky Champions League bet for today is for Elsnik to Score at Anytime at 4.00.
Galatasaray Making Noise
Galatasaray have been on a spending spree this summer and have strenghten their title winnig squad even further. The major start they brough this summer is the one pictured in our header image – Wilfred Zaha. Zaha, who has been one of the best players in the Premier League for the past four years or so, and was heavily linked with moves to Man United and Chelsea in the past, sealed a surprise move to Istanbul. According to Zaha, it was Didier Drogba that advised him to move to Galatasary where the legendary Ivory Cost striker played as well.
On June 30th, Galatasary held a special ceremony where they uveiled their latest signings – Mauro Icardi, Angelino, Cedric Bakambu, Halil Dervişoğlu and Wilfried Zahan. Technically, Icardi is not a new signing as he was there last year, but on loan, and now they made the move permanent. Bakambu is another big name worth noting. A quick forward or winger, he is now 32 years old and has gone through some big clubs in Europe. Bakambu enjoyed three seasons in Villareal (2015-2018) where he scored 32 goals in 75 games. Then went to earn decent money in China for four years scoring another 48 goals in 71 games. Last year, he was in Olympiacos where he was firing and recorded 18 goals in 32 fixtures.
To add to these top players, the Turkish powerhouse also have Dris Mertens and Nicolo Zaniolo. Again, a couple of huge talents and Zaniolo has superstar potential, while the Beglian forward has already proven himself quite well.
Galatasaray are clear favorites in this tie. If you are looking for a safe Champions League bet, go for Galatasaray to win the tie over both legs and qualify, but these odds are quite low at about 1.12.
Olimpija Lubljana v Galatasaray Prediction
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