Two teams who had opposing starts to their UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaigns will collide when Galatasaray host Liverpool in Istanbul, the location of arguably Liverpool’s most famous European night!
Match News and Current Form
Galatasaray began their 19th UCL campaign, more than all other Turkish clubs combined, in dismal fashion when suffering a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt. That heavy defeat seemed out of character for the Lions as that is their lone setback in 19 games (W18), albeit their domestic form has hardly translated into European prowess in the past, since they’ve been victorious in just one of their last 18 UCL games (D5, L12).
Liverpool’s European venture began with a dramatic 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid, and while their winning streak extended for two more games thereafter (W7), they got a taste of their own medicine when Crystal Palace netted a 97th-minute winner to down the Reds 2-1 at the weekend. The Merseysiders will be out to prove that was just a bump in the road, and will back themselves to get back in the win column having won 13 of their last 14 group/league phase UCL matches (L1).
Head-to-Head History
The previous four encounters between these clubs have featured a win apiece and two draws, but encouraging signs for the home team come in the form of losing just one of their last eight home matches against English opposition (W4, D3), while Liverpool have lost four of their six trips to Turkey (W1, D1).
Win ProbabilityOpta by StatsPerform
Hot Stats and Streaks
Galatasaray have scored first in their last 19 matches.
Okan Buruk's men have scored 2+ goals in nine of their last 11 European home games.
None of Liverpool’s last seven games have been decided by more than one goal.
Only one of Liverpool’s last 39 European away matches ended level (W25, L13).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Victor Osimhenreturned from injury at the weekend just in time as he needs one goal to become the first Nigerian player to net ten goals in the UCL proper, and he’ll be confident of doing so since three of his last four for Galatasaray have come at home. Fellow African Mohamed Salah will also be chasing history, as he searches for the two goals he needs to become the first African player to score 50+ European Cup/UCL goals.
The only fresh injury news from both teams is that Liverpool have had to replace Giovanni Leoni with Federico Chiesa in their UCL squad, after Leoni unfortunately suffered a long-term injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Considering Galatasaray have scored in 21 of their last 22 European home games, and Liverpool have netted in each of their last 23 UCL group/league phase fixtures, a speculative bet of over 1.5 goals in both halves could provide a very nice return.
