The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League play-off tie between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Juventus (Italy) will take place on 17 February at RAMS Park in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs Juventus: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray endured a poor second half of the league phase, suffering three goalless defeats and drawing once. However, the three wins recorded between Matchdays 2 and 4 proved enough to reach the play-offs. Galatasaray finished 20th and will take part in Champions League knockout football in the main competition for the first time since the 2013/14 season. Interestingly, the Turkish side have fared well against Italian opposition—Galatasaray have avoided defeat in 14 of their last 17 European matches against Serie A clubs (seven wins and seven draws). In addition, the club are unbeaten at home against Serie A representatives in 11 European games (seven wins and four draws).
- The Turkish side have failed to win 11 of their previous 14 Champions League matches (two draws and nine defeats).
- At least one of the teams failed to score in five of Galatasaray's last seven matches in this tournament.
- At home, the Istanbul side have avoided defeat in eight of their previous 11 Champions League matches (five wins and three draws).
Potential Galatasaray Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Ugurcan Cakir – Roland Sallai, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Evren Elmali – Lucas Torreira, Ilkay Gundogan – Yunus Akgun, Leroy Sane, Baris Yilmaz – Victor Osimhen.
Midfielder Mario Lemina will miss the match through suspension.
Juventus
Juventus, by contrast, struggled in the first half of the league phase, losing to Real Madrid (0:1) and drawing three times. Over the next four matchdays, the Italians recorded three wins and one draw. The team ultimately finished 13th and progressed to the play-off round. Notably, Juventus will feature in the Champions League play-offs for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons. It is also worth highlighting that the Turin side have lost only two of their last 10 European matches against Turkish clubs (five wins and three draws), with both defeats inflicted by Galatasaray.
- Juventus have kept clean sheets in their last three Champions League matches.
- No more than two goals were scored in five of the Italians' previous six games in this European competition.
- The Turin side have failed to win seven of their last eight away Champions League matches (five draws and two defeats).
Potential Juventus Lineup (4-5-1)
Michele Di Gregorio – Andrea Cambiaso, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu – Francisco Conceicao, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Teun Koopmeiners, Kenan Yildiz – Juan Cabal.
Forwards Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are all out injured.
Referee
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Matches – 11 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Yellow cards per match – 2.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 55%.
Galatasaray vs Juventus: Match Prediction
It is interesting that the Turin side have struggled against this opponent. In the last six European head-to-head meetings, the Italians have managed just one win (three draws and two defeats). And judging by the current indicators of both sides, the Istanbul outfit have a good chance of at least avoiding defeat once again against a more illustrious opponent.
Galatasaray have suffered just one defeat in their last four home Champions League matches (two wins and one draw). Moreover, the Istanbul club have been outstanding at their stadium, losing only twice in their last 45 competitive matches (32 wins and 11 draws). As a result, it will be extremely difficult for the Italians to avoid defeat in Istanbul.
In addition, Juventus have not been particularly strong on the road and have recorded only two wins in their last 14 away Champions League matches. Taking all of the above into account, we prefer the following selection.
Prediction: Galatasaray, double chance
