Schalke v Galatasaray: Under 2.5 goals is the way to go

11Mar 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Christian Crowther previews the Champions League round-of-16 second leg between Schalke and Galatsaray, making a case for a low score...

Schalke v Galatasaray, Tuesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Schalke 1.75, Galatasaray 5.3, The Draw 4.1

While most of the world's eyes will be transfixed on Barcelona's Camp Nou for their glamour tie against AC Milan, Schalke and Galatasaray have some unfinished business to settle in Germany too.

In contrast to matters over in Spain however, this tie has much finer balance to it, on paper at least.

The first leg in Turkey produced an entertaining affair though the scoreline finished 1-1 to leave the hosts with the slight advantage as they head back to the Veltins-Arena.

With no previous history between the two sides other than their recent meeting, the answers to the identity of eventual winner may well be found in their recent form.

When the sides met a fortnight ago, it was the Germans who were scratching around like chickens in the dirt for a win on the domestic front.

However, they managed to stay as only one of three unbeaten in this year's Champions League by securing the draw in Turkey and that result appears to have applied the defibrillators to a flat-lining domestic campaign.

Spurred on by the goalscoring exploits of Julian Draxler and Klaas Jan-Huntelaar - who will miss this game through injury - Schalke went on to win their last three Bundesliga games.

Saturday's triumph over second-placed Borussia Dortmund provided the perfect platform for this encounter and closed the gap on Jurgen Klopp's side to just seven points.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray slumped to a shock home defeat to Genclerbirligi at the weekend, following up a disappointing stalemate the week before.

Under/Over 2.5 goals

Neither side has been prolific in this season's Champions League games and, judging by the first leg, this one doesn't scream 'goalfest' either.

Galatasaray represent the lowest scorers still involved in the competition and rely far too heavily on Burak Yilmaz, who has scored seven of their eight goals.

Two of the Turkish side's last three games in this competition have gone under the 2.5 mark, whereas Schalke's previous three went south of the line.

Schalke have only scored more than twice on a solitary occasion in their last eight games in all competitions.

Best Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.32