Galatasaray vs. Barcelona Predictions: In-form Jordi Alba tipped to hit the target

Barcelona were frustrated by Galatasaray in the first-leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, which ended goalless at the Nou Camp, or the Spotify Nou Camp as it will soon amusingly be known as. The Catalan club dominated possession and had 16 shots to their opponent’s three, but were unable to make the breakthrough on home soil. However, we’re backing Xavi’s side to bounce back in the return fixture in Turkey on Thursday (5.45pm, BT Sport)...

It’s a crunch week in both Europe and Spain for Barcelona with back-to-back games away to Galatasaray and rivals Real Madrid ahead of the international break. 

First up, it’s Galatasaray in Turkey as Xavi’s troops bid to book their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals. Barcelona head into the game as the 19/50 favourites to win in 90 minutes, while they are as short as 1/5 to qualify. 

Yet Galatasaray - managed by former Barcelona assistant Domènec Torrent - were resilient and resolute in the first leg. Not only did they come away from the Nou Camp with a draw but they prevented Barcelona from scoring for the first time in 17 matches. 

Now on home soil they will be looking to stir up a shock win at 17/2 in normal time. A draw is available at 9/2 with the hosts available at 5/1 to qualify.

Xavi has been a breath of fresh air since replacing Ronald Koeman in November. After a slow start he has Barcelona bang in form, playing some great football, and scoring plenty of goals.

Barcelona are currently on a 10 game unbeaten run; winning five of their last six games during which they've scored four goals on four different occasions. Their away form is on point with four wins in five outings, including the last three on the spin, while they responded to the first-leg draw at home to Galatasaray with a 4-0 thumping of Osasuna.

Xavi's side have been boosted to an attractive 5/2 (William Hill)  - from 2/1 - to win and for both teams to score, a bet that has successfully landed in each of their last three away games, including a 4-2 win at Napoli in the previous round.

We simply can’t see Galatasaray’s defence holding out against Barcelona’s in-form attack once again. The hosts have conceded in each of their last seven home games - losing three - but have scored in 15 of their last 16 games on their own patch.

Jordi Alba has 24 shots in 23 La Liga and Europa League games this season. In particular, he's enjoyed some decent attacking returns in recent weeks, scoring once and bagging three assists in his last five La Liga games. In fact, no defender has more assists than Alba (55) in Europe's top-five leagues since 2012.

The left-back has had four shots in three Europa League games this season, and was on the scoresheet in the 4-2 win at Napoli. With Barcelona expected to dominate the possession and launch an assault on the Galatasaray goal, we fancy Alba to be heavily involved in the action, with the Spaniard available at 2/1 to have at least one shot on target in Istanbul.

Alba can also be backed at 21/2 (SBK) to notch another goal and 7/2 (Paddy Power) to register an assist.