The 8th round match of the group stage of the Champions League 2025/26 between Manchester City (England) and Galatasaray (Turkey) will take place on 28 january at Etihad Stadium. Manchester City vs Galatasaray: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Manchester City
Manchester City surprised in the last round with a negative result, unexpectedly losing away to Bodo/Glimt 1:3. Interestingly, in the last six group-stage matches the club kept a clean sheet only once. Also, for the first time in this campaign the visitors lost on the road. As a result, the club dropped to 11th place. However, seven rivals also have 13 points, and for five of them the club is behind only on goal difference. The team is already in the play-offs, but if they win, and especially by a large margin, they will most likely finish in the top eight.
- The club has not lost in 5 of the previous 7 meetings in this European competition (4 wins and 1 draw).
- At least three goals were scored in 12 of Manchester City's last 16 Champions League games.
- Both teams scored in 8 of the previous 11 matches for the home side in this tournament.
Potential Manchester City Lineup (4-5-1)
Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nico O'Riley, Abdukodir Husanov, Nathan Aké, Max Ellini – Ryan Cherki, Rico Lewis, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Tijani Reijnders – Erling Haaland.
In the treatment room are defenders John Stones, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol, as well as midfielders Nico González, Óscar Bobb and Mateo Kovačić, and forward Savinho. Midfielder Rodri will miss the match due to suspension. Note that new signings defender Marc Guehi and forward Antoine Semenyo can only be registered for the play-off match.
Galatasaray
The Istanbul side has noticeably reduced its chances of reaching the play-offs. This happened because of a three-match winless run in this tournament. First the club lost twice, and in the last round at home it drew with Atlético Madrid 1:1. As a result, the team dropped to 17th place and has a two-point lead over the nearest rival who is outside the top 24. Galatasaray will secure participation in the play-offs with a win, and there is also a possibility to advance with a draw. Also note that matches involving the club are among the three lowest-scoring in the group stage – an average of 2.6 goals are scored.
- The Istanbul side has not won in 10 of the previous 13 Champions League matches (2 draws and 8 defeats).
- On the road Galatasaray has 5 defeats in its last 6 matches in this tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in 11 of the last 13 away matches for the visitors in this European competition.
Potential Galatasaray Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Galatasaray: Uğurcan Çakır – Roland Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakçı, Evren Elmalı – Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina – İlkay Gündoğan, Leroy Sané, Barış Yılmaz – Victor Osimhen.
Defender Wilfred Singo will miss the match due to injury. Defender Metehan Baltacı is out due to suspension.
Referee
Alejandro Jose Hernández Hernández (Spain)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 30;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 2.5;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Fouls Per Match – 20;
Penalties Awarded – 33%.
Manchester City vs Galatasaray: Match Prediction
Manchester City have major problems with injured players, especially across the defensive line. So conceding three goals in Norway in the last round is far from accidental. In addition, a red card means a key midfield player, Rodri, will miss the upcoming match. Therefore, we expect that in the final round it will not be easy for the home side to beat the visitors, and even more so to keep a clean sheet.
It is highly likely that Manchester City will concede again, as they did in 5 of their last 6 Champions League games. But they will not be left without goals either, having scored in 10 of their last 11 matches in this tournament. For Galatasaray it will, of course, be incredibly difficult not to lose in England. However, they are quite capable of scoring at the opponent's goal. In their last 11 away matches in this European competition the Istanbul side failed to score only twice. But they conceded in 11 of their previous 13 away Champions League matches.
Our prediction – Both Teams To Score.
Prediction: Both teams to score
