The Matchday 5 clash in the Champions League 2025/26 between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Union (Belgium) will take place on November 25 at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs. Union: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Galatasaray
The Istanbul side is positioned ninth with 9 points after 4 rounds. Besides them, four other clubs have the same number of points, but the Turkish team lags behind due to an inferior goal difference. Okan Buruk's men would certainly be in the top 8 had they not suffered such a heavy defeat at the start of the group stage against Eintracht (1-5). Galatasaray quickly learned from this loss and has only won since. At home, they defeated Liverpool (1-0) and Bodø/Glimt (3-1), and surprisingly thrashed Ajax 3-0 away.
- The Turks have not won 7 of their last 10 Champions League encounters (1 draw and 6 losses).
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 11 of Galatasaray's last 14 games in this tournament.
- Both teams scored in 10 of the club's last 14 matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Galatasaray (4-5-1)
Uğurcan Çakır – Wilfried Singo, Davinson Sanchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ismail Jakobs – Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina, Gabriel Sara, Roland Sallai, Leroy Sane – Victor Osimhen.
Union
David Hubert's team, on the other hand, won only in the first round and then suffered three consecutive defeats in the current group stage. At the start of the tournament, the club unexpectedly defeated PSV 3-1 away. Subsequently, the Belgians suffered heavy home losses to Newcastle and Inter, both 0-4. In the last match, they were beaten 1-3 away by Atletico Madrid. As a result, with three points, Union is positioned 28th in the overall stage standings. Notably, only Ajax has conceded more goals (14) than the Belgians and Copenhagen (12 goals) after 4 matches.
- The club has lost 6 of its last 7 Champions League matches (1 win).
- Three or more goals have been scored in 6 of Union's last 7 matches in this European competition.
- The Belgians have conceded at least 3 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Union (3-4-3)
Kjell Scherpen – Ross Sykes, Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess – Rob Schoofs, Adem Zorgane, Kamil van de Perre, Ousseynou Niang – Anouar Ait El Hadj, Anan Khalaili, Kevin Rodrigues.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez (Spain)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 21%.
Galatasaray vs. Union: Match Prediction
Bookmakers, judging by the odds, have no doubt about the victory of the Istanbul side in the upcoming match. It's hard to disagree with this, as the team is in good form, having won three consecutive matches in the Champions League. Moreover, they managed to defeat Liverpool at their home ground. In addition, Galatasaray is confidently leading in their Super League.
I also note that the Turks have not lost in the championship and this European competition at their stadium for 25 matches, securing 20 wins and 5 draws. I believe the Istanbul side will prevail again, likely with a margin of more than one goal. Union has lost 6 of their last 7 Champions League encounters, with 5 of those defeats by a margin of two or more goals.
My prediction – Galatasaray with a handicap (-1)
