Champions League team news and prediction: Istanbul Basaksehir vs Man Utd
Manchester United will look to bounce back from Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal when they travel to face Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday evening.
In the build-up we have all your need-to-know information in one place, including team news, probable XIs, where you can catch the game and a scoreline prediction.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 4th November, 17:55 GMT
Where is the match?
Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium, Istanbul
Where can I watch the match?
BT Sport 3
Group Stage So Far
Istanbul Basaksehir have performed as expected so far in Group H, with two defeats in as many games. The Turkish side opened up their campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to RB Leipzig before losing to the same scoreline at home to Paris Saint-Germain. Unlikely to finish third in Group H, scoring in the Champions League should be their objective over their remaining four games.
Things looked bleak when Manchester United were drawn in the same group as PSG and RB Leipzig but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has destroyed the narrative he is tactically inept and beaten both teams. United started their campaign with a 2-1 win away to PSG before thrashing Leipzig 5-0 on home soil last week. Another win here would put them in a thoroughly commanding position for top spot in Group H.
Team News
Istanbul Basaksehir are expected to be without regular striker Enzo Crivelli, who lated only 14 minutes of their league game on Sunday before coming off injured. Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba will push to deputise, while United will also come up against ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, as well as former Red Devil Rafael da Silva. Another Premier League old boy, Nacer Chadli, misses out through injury, however.
After two comprehensive victories in Group H, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to shuffle his pack with an eye on Saturday's early kick-off with Everton. Dean Henderson has been tipped to replace David de Gea in goal, while other fringe players like Axel Tuanzebe, Donny van de Beek, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Brandon Williams are also in contention for starts. Alex Telles is still missing through COVID-19, while Edison Cavani will hope to make his full United debut here.
Probable XIs
Istanbul Basaksehir (4141): Gunok; Rafael, Skrtel, Epureanu, Bolingoli-Mbombo; Topal; Visca, Kahveci, Ozcan, Turuc; Ba
Man Utd (4231): Henderson; Williams, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Fred; Mata, Van de Beek, Rashford; Cavani
Key Battle: Rafael vs Brandon Williams
This meeting holds particular significance to Rafael da Silva, who is still a big Manchester United fan since leaving the Red Devils in 2015. This will actually be his first ever match against United and it will be a special occasion for the 30-year-old. Having been deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield position at times this season, the Brazilian should revert to right-back on Wednesday with Junior Caicara ruled out for the home side.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka tipped to be rested by United, Brandon Williams should come into the side as Rafael's opposite number for only his third appearance of the season. After a thoroughly impressive breakthrough campaign last term, Williams has found the going slower this time around. Like Rafael, Williams does not shy away from a tackle and that should be evident from both players when they face off here.
Prediction: Istanbul Basaksehir 0-2 Man Utd
