MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Turkey to meet Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday night in the Champions League. Brett Curtis (@Brett_Curtis92) is on-hand to deliver his favourite fancies.
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Manchester United | Wednesday 4th November 2020, 17:55 | BT Sport
The two sides meet at opposite ends of Group H, with Man Utd brilliantly beating RB Leipzig and PSG, and Istanbul Basaksehir losing to both of those sides 2-0.
With United winning their last 10 away matches in all competitions, scoring two or more goals in each of those victories, and Basaksehir losing five of their last six matches in this competition when including qualifiers, I fancy the visitors to get the job done on the road again.
Davide Massa officiates the meeting in Turkey and he has shown both sides one or more yellow card in 18 of his last 20 matches in all competitions, averaging 4.67 yellow cards in his three Champions League matches (which is in line with his 4.61 average in his Serie A career).
Moreover, Basaksehir have been shown six yellow cards in their two CL matches this season, with their opponents receiving five. United have picked up three, with their opponents picking up six. As such, I'm heading to Bet365 to create a Bet Builder: Over 1 Goals for Man Utd, Over 0 Cards for Istanbul Basaksehir, Over 0 Cards for Man Utd and Over 2 Cards for both teams at 21/20.
There are a couple of Basaksehir players I've got my eye on to be carded, too. Their striker Enzo Crivelli was carded in 16 of his 39 appearances last season (41%), and against PSG in their last European match, yet is 9/2 (BoyleSports) to be carded, which seems far too high.
I'm also keen on former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel being in the thick of the action as he often was against Man Utd during his time at Anfield. The Slovakian is 35 now and could struggle with the movement and pace of Utd's attackers, making 13/5 (SkyBet) look a good price. The double with Crivelli pays 16/1 (BoyleSports).
Former Man Utd full-back Rafael is likely to start for the hosts, and he has made four tackles in both of his CL matches this season. He'll be keen to impress against his former employers and with Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial likely to be his direct opponent on the wing, the Brazilian making 3+ tackles looks a good price at 11/10 (SkyBet), with 4+ landing again also tempting at 11/4.
Should Bruno Fernandes start, I'm keen on him to score at 11/8 (Betway). Massa awarded 10 penalties in his 19 league matches last season, while the Portuguese attacking midfielder has scored in six of his last eight away starts.
Lastly, I'll also back United to win 2-0 at 7/1 (SkyBet) given the Turkish side have lost by that scoreline in their last three Champions League matches and United have kept a clean sheet in six of their ten consecutive wins on their travels.
Best Bets
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Manchester United –Over 1 Goal for Manchester United, Over 0 Cards for Istanbul Basaksehir, Over 0 Cards for Manchester United and Over 2 Cards (21/20 Bet365)
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Manchester United – Rafael 3+ Tackles (11/10 SkyBet)
Istanbul Basaksehir vs Manchester United – Enzo Crivelli to be carded (9/2 Boylesports)
