The Matchday 2 fixture of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Liverpool (England) will be held on September 30 at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs. Liverpool: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Galatasaray
The debut game of the new Champions League season was painful for the club: Galatasaray suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Eintracht, despite scoring first, marking their fourth consecutive loss in this European competition. The Turkish side's winless streak in the Champions League has now reached seven matches (1 draw, 6 losses). Notably, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in this tournament for 11 consecutive games, although Galatasaray has scored at least one goal in 9 of those 11 matches. In the overall stage standings, Okan Buruk's team is in 35th place, with only Atalanta below them.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in regular time in 9 of the last 11 games for the Turks in the Champions League.
- Galatasaray has conceded at least 2 goals in regular time in 7 of the last 9 matches in this European competition.
- The club has scored in regular time in 15 of the last 17 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Galatasaray (4-2-3-1)
Uğurcan Çakır – Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakçı, Wilfried Singo, Evren Elmali – Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina – İlkay Gündoğan, Barış Yılmaz, Leroy Sané – Victor Osimhen.
Key midfielder Lucas Torreira might miss the game due to injury.
Liverpool
The club started the Champions League with a hard-fought victory over Atletico (3-2). During the match, the English side squandered a two-goal lead but eventually secured the desired result with a goal in the 92nd minute. Overall, Liverpool has won in regular time in 9 of their last 11 Champions League matches, scoring at least one goal in 10 of those encounters. Arne Slot's team is in 11th place in the overall stage standings.
- At least one team failed to score in regular time in 7 of Liverpool's last 10 Champions League games.
- The English side's uncompromising streak in this tournament lasts for 22 matches (16 wins, 6 losses).
- The club has scored in regular time in 19 of their last 20 away Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker – Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson – Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch – Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike.
Defender Giovanni Leone is out due to a cruciate ligament rupture. The club has added forward Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad.
Referee
Clément Turpin (France)
Matches – 18 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 56;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 56%.
Match Prediction: Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Judging by their poor performance in the first round of the Champions League, Galatasaray will find it difficult to compete for a playoff spot. The traditionally loud and aggressive home crowd could energize the team, helping them to perform at their best. At home, Galatasaray never takes the game lightly: they haven't suffered a heavy defeat in the Champions League at home in 18 consecutive matches, and they've only lost by a two-goal margin in 2 of those 18 games. Moreover, the Turks have avoided defeat in 5 of their last 7 home Champions League matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
Liverpool narrowly secured three points in their debut Champions League match, and the club hasn't recorded truly convincing victories in this tournament for quite some time. The English side hasn't won by a margin of two goals or more in regular time for six consecutive Champions League matches, and they've managed to do so in only 1 of their last 6 away games.
Most likely, the hosts will be able to maintain intrigue until the final whistle. Prediction: Galatasaray with a handicap (+1.5)
