For RFS, the Europa League is about gaining experience and delighting Latvian fans. While victories from their home team may be rare, fans will at least get to watch prestigious and robust European clubs. Galatasaray will be the first to test the Riga field.
RFS Riga are considered one of the main outsiders in the Europa League group stage, with many believing they reached this phase by accident. Indeed, the element of chance was present in their penalty shootout victory against Cypriot side APOEL in the final qualifying round. However, now among Europe's top 36 clubs, RFS's defence crumbled under the pressure of FCSB's modest attack, conceding four goals from just 2.14 xG and eight shots on target.
In the Turkish league, Galatasaray have been scoring at least three goals in their last five rounds, sometimes more, as seen in matches against Adana Demirspor (5:1) and Çaykur Rizespor (5:0), regardless of whether they play at home or away. The same trend continued in the opening round of the Europa League, where they scored three goals against PAOK (3:1). The only oddity occurred last weekend when the team also conceded three. Kasımpaşa sprang a surprise by saving the match in the 95th minute.
The home ground advantage is not a particularly serious advantage for RFS, especially when facing Galatasaray. If your team is weaker, they will dismantle you with pleasure, thus we suggest betting on Galatasaray with a small handicap.
