Match Previews

'Gala' won on the UC opening matchday against Olympiacos (1-0)... 5th placed in the Turkish league but only 3 points behind the leaders at the 9th matchday... Emre Gungor (sp)(def), Linderoth (r)(mid), Topal (sp)(mid), Baris Ozbek (sp)(mid), Hasan Sas (sp)(mid), Kewell (k)(mid) and Nonda (r)(att) all out due to injuries... Special game for Fernando Meira (k)(def)... 20 players called-up (including 3 keepers)... Galatasaray won their first matchday in this UEFA Cup group stage by beating Olympiacos at Istambul with a 1-0 victory (goal scored by Kewell) so they will visit Benfica as leaders. Let's be honest: a draw wouldn't be a bad result for Galatasaray, even if they have a few good players to make the difference. Galatasaray are 5th placed in the Turkish league, with 17 points in 9 matchdays (3 points behind leaders Trabzonspor). In the last league game, Galatasaray won 2-1 against Gaziantepspor with 10th and 11th minute goals scored by Kewell and Lincoln. The Australian star is unavailable and that's certainly a big blow for coach Michael Skibbe, who also won't count on defensive midfielders Tobias Linderoth and Mehmet Topal, defender Emre Gungor, striker Shabani Nonda and winger Hasan Sas. Anyway, since Kewell is not available, usual left-back Hakan Balta might play on the left side of midfield, allowing Volkan Yaman to appear on the left-back. Other option is keeping Balta on the left-back, move Arda Turan to the left side of the attacking midfielder, in-form Sabri to the right-midfield and put Kurtulus as right-back. This is a special game for the Portuguese International Fernando Meira, who is a former Benfica player. Meira can do the centre-back or the anchor position. One of the main threats will be Lincoln's movements behind Czech striker Milan Baros, although Arda Turan is a very pacey winger/attacking midfielder who can make the difference. Skibbe called up 20 players, including three goalkeepers.