The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League round of 16 tie between Galatasaray vs Liverpool will take place on 10 March at the Rams Park in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs Liverpool: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray will feature in the round of 16 for the first time since the 2013/14 season. The Istanbul side reached this stage thanks to a play-off victory over Juventus. In the first match of the two-legged tie, Galatasaray thrashed the Italians 5:2. However, in the return leg they lost by the same margin (0:3), but still progressed after scoring twice in extra time. Interestingly, the team have recorded just one win in their previous six Champions League matches (one draw and four defeats). It is also worth noting that in their last four European knockout ties against English opponents, the Turks have two wins and two defeats.
- No more than three goals were scored in regulation time in six of Galatasaray's previous seven matches in this tournament.
- At least one of the sides failed to score in five of the Istanbul club's last seven Champions League games.
- The Turks have avoided defeat at home in nine of their last 12 matches in this European competition (six wins and three draws).
Potential Galatasaray Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Ugurcan Cakir - Sacha Boey, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ismail Jacobs - Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara - Noa Lang, Leroy Sane, Baris Yilmaz - Victor Osimhen.
Liverpool
Liverpool enjoyed an excellent league phase, recording six wins and two defeats. As a result, the club finished third and qualified directly for the round of 16. Liverpool have also won their last three matches in this tournament without conceding a single goal. For the Merseyside outfit, this will be their eighth appearance at this stage in the last nine Champions League campaigns. However, it is important to add that in the previous two instances they were eliminated at this round. Interestingly, Liverpool have previously had three European knockout ties against Turkish opposition, progressing on two occasions.
- The team have won 14 of their last 18 Champions League matches (four defeats).
- At least one of the sides failed to score in five of Liverpool's previous seven games in this tournament.
- The English side have won six of their last eight away matches in this European competition (two defeats).
Potential Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Giorgi Mamardashvili - Milos Kerkez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez - Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch - Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah - Hugo Ekitike.
Goalkeeper Alisson, defender Conor Bradley, midfielder Wataru Endo, and forwards Federico Chiesa and Alexander Isak are injured.
Referee
Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
Matches - 6 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) - 18;
Average yellow cards per match - 3.0;
Red cards shown - 3;
Average fouls per match - 21;
Penalties - 10%.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool: Match Prediction
The Istanbul side have played five home matches in Europe this season, winning three, drawing one and losing one. Curiously, the Turks' very first home game in this Champions League campaign came against Liverpool, and they beat them 1:0. In addition, Galatasaray have hosted this opponent twice before in this tournament and also avoided defeat (one win and one draw). It is also worth adding that in this century these teams have faced each other five times in the Champions League, and only once have the English side come out on top - and that victory was by the narrowest of margins.
We assume that the Turks, even if they do not win again, should at least be able to avoid a heavy defeat. The team have excellent numbers against Premier League opposition at their own stadium in European competition, suffering just one defeat in their last nine such matches (five wins and three draws). Meanwhile, Liverpool have just one victory in their previous seven visits to Turkish teams in European competition (one draw and five defeats). It is also worth adding that in six of Liverpool's last eight away Champions League matches, they have not won by more than one goal.
Prediction: Galatasaray (+1)
