Malmo vs Galatasaray: Key stats, possible lineups, previous encounters

Galatasaray heads to Sweden to face Malmo in the UEFA Europa League’s 6th week on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 8:45 p.m. (local time).

The Malmo vs Galatasaray match at Eleda Stadion offers Galatasaray an opportunity to cement their dominance in the competition, while Malmo seeks to end a tough campaign with a strong performance.

English referee John Brooks will officiate the game, assisted by Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan, with Darren Bond as the fourth official.

Recent form of Galatasaray and Malmo shows contrasting fortunes in Europa League

Galatasaray arrives in Sweden as one of Europe’s most consistent teams this season. The Turkish giants are unbeaten in their last 17 matches across all competitions. In the Europa League, they have secured three wins and two draws, scoring an impressive 13 goals—the joint-best record in the competition.

Their latest domestic match, a 3-2 victory against Sivasspor, demonstrated their resilience after going down to 10 men early. Goals from Yunus Akgun, Victor Osimhen, and Baris Alper Yilmaz secured the hard-fought win.

In contrast, Malmo has struggled to carry their domestic success onto the European stage. While they dominated the Swedish Allsvenskan, clinching their 4th title in five years, their Europa League form tells a different story.

The Swedish champions have managed only one win in 5 matches and suffered 3 consecutive losses against Olympiacos, Besiktas, and Ferencvaros. Their most recent Europa League defeat, a 4-1 loss to Ferencvaros, exposed their defensive weaknesses.

Lineup expectations for Malmo vs Galatasaray impacted by injuries to key players

Both teams face significant injury challenges heading into the Malmo vs Galatasaray match, which will influence their starting lineups.

• Galatasaray’s probable lineup for Malmo vs Galatasaray match (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Sanchez, Baltaci, Bardakci; Kutlu, Torreira, Sara, Akgun, Mertens; Batshuayi, Osimhen.
  • Key absences include Mauro Icardi, who is sidelined with a long-term ligament injury, and Baris Alper Yilmaz, out with a thigh strain. Coach Okan Buruk will likely rely on Michy Batshuayi and Yunus Akgun for offensive contributions, while Abdulkerim Bardakci’s participation remains uncertain.
• Malmo’s probable lineup for Malmo vs Galatasaray match (4-2-3-1): Friedrich; Larsen, Rosler, Zatterstrom, Busanello; Pena, Johnsen, Thelin, Christiansen, Rosengren; Botheim.
  • The Swedish side will be without Pontus Jansson and Sead Haksabanovic, limiting their options in defense and attack. Coach Henrik Rydstrom must depend on young talents like Erik Botheim and experienced players such as Isaac Kiese Thelin to fill the gaps.

Key players for Malmo vs Galatasaray who could decide match

Galatasaray’s offensive power rests on Yunus Akgun, who has already scored seven goals in this Europa League campaign. His creativity and ability to exploit spaces make him a constant threat.

Michy Batshuayi stepping in for the injured Icardi, will also be crucial as a target man. In midfield, Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Sara will look to control the tempo, while Dries Mertens adds vision and flair to the attack.

Malmo will rely on Erik Botheim, who recently scored a hat-trick in a Svenska Cupen match, to lead their offense. Isaac Kiese Thelin’s experience and Anders Christiansen’s playmaking abilities will also be vital as the Swedish team seeks to find the back of the net.

Tactical adjustments from managers as Galatasaray and Malmo prepare for Europa League clash

Neither coach has commented publicly ahead of the Malmo vs Galatasaray match, but their tactical approaches offer insight into their strategies. Okan Buruk has emphasized attacking football throughout Galatasaray’s campaign, with his team averaging over two goals per game.

Meanwhile, Henrik Rydstrom has focused on discipline and counter-attacking tactics. Both managers face the challenge of adapting to key absences while maintaining their respective game plans.

Galatasaray enters the match as the clear favorite based on their form and firepower. Their ability to score consistently, coupled with Malmo’s defensive issues in the Europa League, suggests that the visitors are well-positioned for a win.

However, Malmo’s home advantage and determination to finish strong could make the Malmo vs Galatasaray match competitive.

Predicted score: Malmo 1-2 Galatasaray

Important statistics, historical data for Malmo vs Galatasaray

• Head-to-head: This is the first competitive meeting between the two teams.
• Galatasaray’s Europa League dominance: The Turkish team boasts the joint-best scoring record in the tournament with 13 goals in five matches
• Malmo’s home struggles: The Swedish side has lost their last five Europa League home games without scoring
• Weather condition: The match will be played in temperatures around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), a stark contrast to Galatasaray’s typical conditions in Istanbul.

With both teams chasing different goals, this Malmo vs Galatasaray Europa League encounter promises to be a fascinating contest.

Galatasaray will look to continue their dominance, while Malmo aims to end their campaign on a high note in front of their fans.