Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are in danger after losing the first leg to Galatasaray last week in Istanbul. However, they still have a chance to turn their fortunes around when they head back to Anfield for the return leg of their Round of 16 tie.
After losing 1-0 to Gala last week, the Reds surprisingly dropped points against Tottenham in their last Premier League match (1-1) yesterday, hurting their chances of securing a Top 4 berth. Winless in their last two across all competitions, Arne Slot’s side aims to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Galatasaray followed up their opening-leg win against Liverpool with a 3-0 rout of Istanbul Basaksehir to strengthen their hold of the Turkish Super Lig’s top seed. Besides having the bragging rights, Gala are reportedly financially incentivised to knock out the Reds in the European competition.
Talking Points
Liverpool expected to rotate their lineup
Arne Slot made changes to his starting XI against Tottenham yesterday, handing starts to Jeremie Frimpong, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo, and Rio Ngumoha. Dominik Szoboszlai gave the Reds a one-goal lead, which they squandered when Richarlison scored the equaliser in the 90th minute.
Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konate came off the bench. But they’re likely to get recalled against Galatasaray, likely relegating Rio Ngumoha, Joe Gomez, and Cody Gakpo to the bench. The Reds hope that Salah will carry the Reds on Wednesday, as he’s on the verge of making Champions League history. The Egyptian winger, with 49 goals, could become the first African player to net 50 in the competition should he be on the scoresheet in the second leg.
Szoboszlai will likely stay as the Reds’ No. 10, pushing Florian Wirtz to the left flank. The Hungarian talisman is Liverpool’s leading scorer in the Champions League with four goals, and he’ll have the midfield duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch behind him.
Liverpool will still be without several key players, as Alexander Isak (leg), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee), and Wataru Endo (ankle) continue to recover from their long-term injuries.
Osimhen spearheading Galatasaray’s charge
Victor Osimhen didn’t find the back of the net in Galatasaray’s opening-leg victory against Liverpool (as Mario Lemina did so). However, he remains the biggest worry for the hosts on Wednesday because of his fine form.
The Nigerian forward returned on the scoresheet during their 3-0 rout of Istanbul Basaksehir. Osimhen is their leading scorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions, including seven in the Champions League. On Wednesday, he’ll likely join Noa Lang and Baris Alper Yilmaz in the final third, with Leroy Sane coming off the bench.
Okan Buruk’s side will also miss several key players. Enes Buyuk is sidelined with a shoulder problem, while Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz, and Renato Nhaga are all ineligible after being left out of the club’s Champions League squad.
History
Galatasaray have secured back-to-back 1-0 wins against the Reds in the league phase and in the opening leg of their Round of 16 tie, and they can be the first team since 2015-16 West Ham United to beat them three times in the same campaign.
However, Galatasaray have won just one of their 12 away games against English clubs in all competitions (D3, L8), last doing so in a 3-2 win against Manchester United in October 2023. And in the knockout stages, they’ve lost four of their five away.
Only twice have Liverpool dropped the opening leg of a Champions League tie and gone on to advance to the next round. They last did it in 2006-07 against Chelsea and 2018-19 against Barcelona, both in the semis.
Betting Tip
The Champions League 2026 odds expect Liverpool to give Galatasaray a run for their money this midweek, and it helps that they’re playing at home. The Reds are huge 1.26 favourites to win, while Gala are 7.40 underdogs, and a draw is at 5.70 in the 1X2 market.
As shown in their most recent matchups, Champions League 2026 highlights could be limited, but the hosts should do just enough to see this through and advance to the quarter-finals. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP punters may also add Under 3.50 at 1.93, Under 3.75 at 1.66, and even Total Goal 0-1 at 6.50 to the parlay. However, if you fancy another Gala upset, then check out the Correct Score of 1-0 in their favour – the result of their previous two meetings in this competition this campaign – given its massive payout of 36.00.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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