MX23RW : Monday, November 23 17:57:15| >> :120:4299:4299:
Nov 24, 2020 at 8pm UK at Old Trafford
Man UtdManchester United
vs.
IstanbulIstanbul Basaksehir

Preview: Manchester United vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Champions League when they welcome Istanbul Basaksehir to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils remain top of Group H, level on points with second-placed RB Leipzig, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Basaksehir in the reverse match earlier this month.


Match preview

Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring for Manchester United against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on November 21, 2020© Reuters

United placed themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the last-16 stage of the Champions League when they recorded back-to-back wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig towards the end of October.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were brought crashing back down to earth in Turkey on November 4, though, as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Basaksehir to keep the group wide open ahead of the next two fixtures.

A win for United on Tuesday would leave them in a strong spot as one or both of second-placed Leipzig and third-placed PSG will drop points when they lock horns on the same night in Paris.

The Red Devils will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday night, with Bruno Fernandes scoring the only goal of the contest from the penalty spot.

The 20-time English champions reached the quarter-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League before losing to Barcelona, while they were present in last season's Europa League semi-finals and will be aiming to advance deep into the European Cup this term, despite not being considered as one of the favourites.

Istanbul Basaksehir's Demba Ba celebrates scoring against Manchester United in the Champions League on November 4, 2020© Reuters

There is no question that Basaksehir benefited from some terrible defending from United earlier this month, but it was still an impressive performance from the Turkish side, who are bottom of Group H but level on points with third-placed PSG as they eye another huge result against Solskjaer's side.

The Istanbul giants won their first ever Super Lig title last season and are competing in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Basaksehir have never faced United on English soil, but they did travel to Premier League outfit Burnley in the qualifying rounds of the 2018-19 Europa League, suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Clarets.

Okan Buruk's side will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Besiktas in the league on Saturday, which has left them down in sixth position in their domestic table, having collected 13 points from nine matches.

The odds are heavily stacked against the Turkish side heading into Tuesday's clash in Manchester, but they gave a good account of themselves away to Bundesliga side Leipzig earlier this season and have already shown their credentials against Solskjaer's side.

Manchester United Champions League form: WLLWWL
Manchester United form (all competitions): DWLLWW

Istanbul Basaksehir Champions League form: DLLLLW
Istanbul Basaksehir form (all competitions): LWWWLL


Team News

Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action with Everton's Allan in the Premier League on November 7, 2020© Reuters

United will again be without the services of defensive duo Phil Jones and Luke Shaw for Tuesday's contest, while Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly remain doubts for the home side.

The Red Devils could welcome back both Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the latter handed a starting role as Solskjaer prepares to shuffle his pack.

Victor Lindelof has also been struggling with a back problem in recent weeks and played the full 90 minutes against West Brom, suggesting that Axel Tuanzebe could come into the XI for this match.

Edinson Cavani could again find himself on the bench with Anthony Martial likely to feature through the middle, while David de Gea should keep out Dean Henderson in goal, despite the fact that the England international was given the nod in the reverse game in Turkey.

As for Basaksehir, Junior Caicara and Enzo Crivelli remain on the sidelines through injury, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape heading into the European contest.

There will be an Old Trafford return for Brazilian right-back Rafael, while former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel should again line up for the Turkish champions against Solskjaer's side.

Ba, who opened the scoring in the reverse game in Istanbul, could again be the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, with Edin Visca and Deniz Turuc providing support from the wide positions.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Tuanzebe, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Greenwood; Martial

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Rafael, Skrtel, Epureanu, Bolingoli-Mbombo; Visca, Aleksic, Ozcan, Kahveci, Turuc; Ba


SM words green background

We say: Manchester United 2-0 Istanbul Basaksehir

United will be determined to gain revenge on Basaksehir and secure back-to-back wins at Old Trafford in all competitions. The visitors are certainly capable of making it a difficult game for the Red Devils, but we expect Solskjaer's side to put a third Champions League win of the season on the board.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:423324:cQx

Who will win Tuesday's Champions League clash between Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir?

Manchester United
Draw
Istanbul Basaksehir
Manchester United
79.3%
Draw
12.7%
Istanbul Basaksehir
8.0%
150
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Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood pictured in October 2020
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