Struggling Swiss champions, Young Boys, will have to battle Turkish champions, Galatasaray for a place in the newly structured UEFA Champions League group stages. 

The game happening at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern on Wednesday, August 20, is the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff between the two competition regulars.

Young Boys Aim to Defy Their Early-Season Struggles | Home Win = 4.09

Young Boys, the reigning Swiss Super League champions, have had a shaky start to their domestic campaign. Winless in their first five league games, they currently sit second from the bottom. With three consecutive losses followed by two draws, the team has struggled defensively, conceding 13 goals in five matches.

Despite their poor form, Young Boys have a strong European pedigree, having reached the Champions League group stage in two of the last three seasons. Under pressure, new manager Patrick Rahmen will hope that a resounding 10-0 win in their last cup game can inspire confidence ahead of this pivotal matchup.

Galatasaray Seeks to Capitalize on Swiss Weakness | Away Win = 1.93

Galatasaray, the Turkish Super Lig champions, enter this tie with momentum on their side. After narrowly winning the league with a record 102 points, they aim to return to the Champions League group stage following a disappointing campaign last year.

Although they were thrashed 5-0 by Besiktas in the Turkish Super Cup, Gala have bounced back with two wins in their opening league games. With star striker Mauro Icardi leading the line and already off the mark this season, Galatasaray will look to exploit Young Boys' defensive vulnerabilities.

Key Players & Team News:

Young Boys will be without Facinet Conte and Saidy Janko due to injuries, while Kastriot Imeri is sidelined until September. Manager Patrick Rahmen might rely on in-form striker Silvere Ganvoula to lead the attack, although Cedric Itten, who scored a hat-trick in their last game, also presents a strong option.

Galatasaray have their own selection challenges, with Davinson Sanchez injured and Kaan Ayhan suspended. Summer signing Gabriel Sara is also unavailable due to personal reasons. As a result, Victor Nelsson and Abdulkerim Bardakci are expected to form the central defensive partnership, while Lucas Torreira will anchor the midfield.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.88

Young Boys are unbeaten in their last three (3) games in all competitions, drawing two (2-2, 2-2) and winning one, a Schweizer Cup game against FC Printse-Nendaz they won 10-0. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG (Yes) = 1.99

Galatasaray have won three (3) of their last five (5) games in all competitions with two (2) of those wins coming in their last two games in the Turkish League (2-1, 1-2). | Specials Market: Draw/Away & Over 2.5 = 2.19

In the previous two (2) meetings between Young Boys and Galatasaray, Goal-Goal (GG) has occurred (3-1, 1-1). | Main Market: Over 3.5 = 2.79

This match is set to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams eager to progress to the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.

 

You can follow and bet on the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers Playoffs game, Young Boys vs. Galatasaray, on MSport here.

 

On Sunday, August 11, Arsenal will face Lyon in a crucial pre-season match at the Emirates Stadium as they look to defend their Emirates Cup title.

This fixture marks the Gunners' last pre-season game before their Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers, making it an essential tune-up for Mikel Arteta's side.

Arsenal’s Dominance in the Emirates Cup | Home Win = 1.54

Arsenal, the most successful team in the history of the Emirates Cup, are aiming for their eighth title in this annual pre-season tournament. Last year, they edged out Monaco to lift the trophy, and this year, they look set to repeat the feat after a dominant pre-season showing.

In their most recent match, Arsenal dismantled Bayer Leverkusen with a convincing 4-1 victory, showcasing the depth and talent within their squad. Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus highlighted a well-rounded attacking display. Despite the strong performance, Arteta remains focused on improvement, as his team continues to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the new season.

Lyon’s Quest for Emirates Cup Glory | Away Win = 4.50

Lyon, the last foreign team to win the Emirates Cup back in 2019, returns to North London with high hopes of repeating that success. The French side has had a rollercoaster journey in recent years, narrowly avoiding relegation from Ligue 1 last season before staging a remarkable comeback to secure Europa League qualification.

Under the guidance of Pierre Sage, Lyon has shown promise, notably with a resounding 4-0 victory over Union Berlin in their last pre-season match. Former Arsenal players Alexandre Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been key figures for Lyon, with the latter scoring in the Union Berlin rout. However, Lacazette will be absent for this match as he captains the France Olympic team.

Key Players & Team News

Arsenal will be without a few key players due to injuries, including Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while new signing Riccardo Calafiori is likely to get some minutes as he continues to adapt to English football. However, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who featured for 45 minutes against Leverkusen, are expected to play significant roles.

Lyon, on the other hand, will miss Lacazette but will rely on Georges Mikautadze to lead the attack, supported by the experienced Nemanja Matic in midfield. Maitland-Niles is also expected to start against his former club, adding an interesting subplot to the encounter.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.50

Arsenal and Lyon have met only twice in competitive fixtures, with the Gunners emerging victorious on both occasions during the 2000-01 Champions League second group stage. The other three (3) times were in the Emirates Cup and another friendly, of which Arsenal were winners on two occasions. |

Lyon has won three (3) of their last five (5) games in all competitions while drawing one and losing the other showing good form presently. |

There have been over 2.5 goals in all the last three (3) meetings between Arsenal and Lyon (6-0, 2-1, 3-0). |

 

You can check out the Arsenal vs Lyon Emirates Cup here on MSport.