If either Anderlecht or Galatasaray are going to give themselves a chance at making the knockout stages, they need a win on Wednesday.
When Anderlecht and Galatasaray were drawn into the same group as Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, they immediately faced long odds to make the Champions League knockout stages. Since then, nothing has changed. BVB raced to the top of the group and have clinched advancement, while Arsenal sit in second place and look likely to advance as well.
That leaves Anderlecht and Galatasaray with two last gasps to keep their dreams alive. The first comes on Wednesday, the two teams meet and the winner may still have a chance to advance, while the loser will be eliminated.
Arsenal are second place on seven points and Anderlecht are third on two points. Galatasaray are bottom of the group on one point.
When these two clubs played on the first matchday, Anderlecht went ahead in the 52nd minute, but Galatasaray salvaged a home draw with a stoppage time equalizer. Anderlecht looked like the better side in that match and that has continued throughout the group stage, as Galatasaray have been beaten by at least three goals in every contest. Meanwhile, Anderlecht have managed a draw at Arsenal and nearly beat the Gunners at home, but gave up two late goals to lose, 2-1.
With this match coming in Brussels and their superior play in this competition, Anderlecht are clear favorites to win this match and, if they do, they may go into the final matchday just two points back of Arsenal with a chance to advance. Those are long odds, but that's been the case all along.
Anderlecht injuries and suspensions
Out: Matias Suarez (knee). Doubt: Steven Defour (calf), Fabrice N'Sakala (knee), Bram Nuytinck (toe).
Galatasaray injuries and suspensions
Out: Blerim Dzemaili (suspended). Doubt: Hakan Balta (hamstring), Semih Kaya (hip).
Venue: Constant Vanden Stock Stadium Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium
TV: None
Streaming: Fox Soccer 2 Go, Watch ESPN (USA), Sky Go (UK), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/15uJSh0
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