Galatasaray vs Lokomotiv Moscow Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 16/09/2018, 23:31  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 16/09/2018 at 23:32 in Champions League Predictions

Both Galatasaray and Lokomotiv won their respective championships in Turkey and Russia; Galatasaray had to fight it out till the final day of the season and managed to fend off the opposition, while Lokomotiv had an easier run to the Russian title. However, Lokomotiv have not been the best starters to the season and are struggling in the defence of their title so they will want to use Champions League as a means to show their prowess. It remains to be seen how they will fare against their hosts, given the Russians are just returning to the competition after years in the cold. Galatasaray leads the Super Lig standings with 12 points, after four wins and a loss in the opening five matches. They suffered a shock 4 – 0 defeat to Trabzonspor in the fourth day of the Turkish championship but apart from that they have been superb, scoring 14 goals in the four games, including a 4 – 1 win over Kasimpasa. Galatasaray have a fine run at home, of 20 wins in 21 matches and their win over Kasimpasa, plus the advantage of good form and experience in Europe, sets them well ahead of this clash but they will need to improve on a run that has seen them win just one of their last 14 Champions League matches, and lost nine. Lokomotiv, on their part, are struggling back at home and could on manage a draw with Dinamo Moscow on the weekend, which left them 10th on the log with just two wins in the opening seven matches. Lokomotiv have never won their opening Champions League game and here they will be hoping to break that jinx. Their last game in the competition was in 2005 and they hold a run of five wins in the last 20 matches in the Champions League. Lokomotiv are winless in their last 10 Champions League away games but their last win came away to Galatasaray in 2002, which is also their only one in 13 away matches in the competition.