The second leg of the 2025/26 Champions League round-of-16 tie between Liverpool (England) and Galatasaray (Turkey) will take place on 18 March at Anfield. The score in the first leg was 1:0 in favour of Galatasaray. Liverpool vs Galatasaray: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Liverpool
The home side played at Rams Park in Istanbul for the second time this season and on both occasions the score was 1:0 to the hosts (previously in the league phase). In a completely even contest (xG was 1.34:1.31), the tie was settled by a single goal in the 7th minute. Now Liverpool must win at home by at least two goals, while a one-goal victory would take the match to extra time. Interestingly, the club are featuring in the Champions League round of 16 for the eighth time in the last nine seasons, but they have been knocked out at this stage in both of their previous ties. In addition, Liverpool have lost 11 of their last 16 European two-legged ties after losing the first leg.
- Liverpool’s all-or-nothing run in this tournament stands at 30 matches (21 wins and 9 defeats).
- At least one of the two teams failed to score in 8 of Liverpool’s previous 11 Champions League matches.
- Liverpool have won 7 of their last 9 home matches in this European competition.
Potential Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson - Milos Kerkez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez - Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch - Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah - Hugo Ekitike.
Defender Conor Bradley, midfielder Wataru Endo and forward Alexander Isak are injured.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray beat Liverpool at home for the second time this season, and on both occasions it was a quick goal that made the difference. Notably, they have kept a clean sheet in just 3 of their last 33 European matches, and twice of those were against Liverpool. Now the visitors must protect their advantage away from home and, if the club avoid defeat over the 90 minutes, they will reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2012/13 season. It is worth noting that in their previous four two-legged ties against English opponents, Galatasaray progressed twice and were eliminated twice. It should also be added that the Turkish side have gone through in 14 of their last 17 European ties after winning the first leg, but in 2 of their last 3 ties when holding a one-goal advantage, the Istanbul club were knocked out.
- Galatasaray have failed to win 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (1 draw and 4 defeats).
- At least one of the two teams failed to score in 5 of Galatasaray’s previous 7 Champions League matches.
- Galatasaray have lost 7 of their last 8 away matches in this European competition.
Potential Galatasaray Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Ugurcan Cakir - Sacha Boey, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ismail Jakobs - Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara - Noa Lang, Leroy Sane, Baris Yilmaz - Victor Osimhen.
Defender Davinson Sanchez is unavailable due to suspension, while defender Arda Unyay is out injured.
Referee
Szymon Marciniak (France)
Matches - 7 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) - 23;
Yellow cards per match - 3.3;
Red cards shown - 0;
Fouls per match - 26;
Penalties - 29%.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray: Match Prediction
Despite Galatasaray recording two straight wins over Liverpool in this Champions League campaign, we will side with the English club, just as the bookmakers do. The away side are excellent at home, where they are ready to take on any opponent, but on the road they usually disappoint. In five away matches in this European competition this season, Galatasaray have suffered four defeats, beating only Ajax, who flopped in the league phase. What is more, the visitors have failed to score in their last three away matches in this tournament.
In the previous round, Galatasaray were close to going out of the Champions League despite having a three-goal cushion over Juventus after the first leg, which they won 5:2. In the return match, the Turin side took revenge (3:0). We believe Liverpool can produce something similar in this tie. After all, the home team look very strong at Anfield, where they have won 11 of their last 14 matches in this tournament.
In addition, Liverpool have won five of their last six home European encounters with Turkish opponents, drawing the other, and on five occasions they kept a clean sheet. We will also add that Galatasaray have won just one of their last 13 away European matches against English Premier League opposition (3 draws and 8 defeats).
Prediction: Liverpool (-1.5)