Matchday 2 of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Liverpool (England) will take place on September 30 at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs. Liverpool: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Galatasaray
The debut game in 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 they have scored at least one goal in 9 out of these 11 matches. In the group stage standings, Okan Buruk's side is in 35th place – only Atalanta is below them.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in regular time in 9 of Galatasaray's last 11 Champions League games.
- Galatasaray has conceded at least 2 goals in regular time in 7 of their last 9 matches in this European competition.
- The club has scored in regular time in 15 of their last 17 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Galatasaray (4-2-3-1)
Ugurcan Cakir – Roland Sallai, Davinson Sanchez, Wilfried Singo, Evren Elmali – Gabriel Sara, Mario Lemina – Ilkay Gundogan, Yunus Akgun, Leroy Sane – Victor Osimhen.
Main midfielder Lucas Torreira might miss the game due to injury.
Liverpool
The club kicked off their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought victory over Atletico (3-2). During the match, the English side squandered a two-goal lead but ultimately 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 these encounters. Arne Slot's team occupies the 11th position in the group 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 extends to 22 matches (16 wins, 6 losses).
- The club has scored in regular time in 19 of their last 20 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker – Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, 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
Clement 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%.
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool: Match Prediction
Judging by their poor performance in the first round of the Champions League, Galatasaray will find it challenging to compete for a playoff spot. The team can be energized by their traditionally loud and hostile stands towards opponents – with such support, the Turks are expected to show their maximum potential. At home, Galatasaray never just goes through the motions: this is confirmed by the fact that they have not suffered heavy defeats in the Champions League at home for 18 consecutive matches, and they have only lost by a two-goal margin in 2 of these 18 games. Moreover, the Turks have not lost in 5 of their last 7 home Champions League matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
Liverpool barely managed to secure three points in their debut Champions League match in the dying moments, and in general, the club has not had truly convincing victories in this tournament for quite some time. The English side has not won in regular time by a margin of two goals or more in six consecutive Champions League matches, and away, they have done so only once in their last 6 games.
Most likely, the hosts will manage to keep the suspense alive until the final whistle. Prediction – Galatasaray with a handicap (+1.5)
