Galatasaray will be hosting Liverpool at RAMS Park on the 10th of March, 2026. The kick off is at 5:45 pm GMT – but if you’re in WAT, you’ll be watching at 6:45 pm and if you’re in CET, it’s 7:45 pm.
This is going to be a huge clash in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie. Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray, who’ve been on fire domestically, will be facing Arne Slot’s Reds who’ve got a real shot at European glory despite that loss in Istanbul (1-0, and that dodgy penalty).
You can expect the atmosphere at RAMS Park to be absolutely electric – Galatasaray need a lead going into that Anfield return on the 18th of March.
Match Summary
At the moment, Galatasaray are doing pretty well in the Süper Lig and in the Champions league, and they’ve shown a lot of grit, especially when they took down Liverpool earlier this season via a Victor Osimhen penalty. They’ve been doing well in their recent domestic games – and they really thrive at home with this mix of physicality and quick transitions. Liverpool, who are sitting pretty high in the Premier League, have got the firepower of Mohamed Salah to call upon and they’ve got some real creativity going on, but they do struggle away from home in Turkey (had a pretty tough time against Galatasaray historically). That last meeting in the league phase was a real nailbiter – low scoring but this knockout match could be a whole different story. Expect to see a lot of intensity, set pieces, and counter attacks – over 2.5 goals is definitely possible on a high-stakes European night.
Head-to-head: Galatasaray have a bit of an edge recently (1 win in the league phase), but Liverpool’s got the quality to make them the favourites overall.
Possible Lineups
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Çakır – Sallai, Sanchez. Bardakcı, Jakobs – Torreira, Lemina – Yilmaz, Sara/Akgün, Lang – Osimhen
Okan Buruk’s got a pretty much fully fit squad – only some minor absences to worry about like Metehan Baltacı (he’s suspended) and Enes Büyük (out with an injury). And Victor Osimhen is going to be a real focal point after that goal against Liverpool – he’s going to be supported by Barış Alper Yılmaz and Noa Lang for a bit of pace.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili – Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez – Gravenberch, Mac Allister – Salah, Szoboszlai. Gakpo/Wirtz – Ekitiké
Arne Slot’s missing Alisson (he’s been training injured), Federico Chiesa (has been ill), plus a few long term absentees like Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni. But Mohamed Salah’s still going to be the main man, and Hugo Ekitiké’s back up front.
Prediction
I think Galatasaray’s home advantage and physical style, plus Victor Osimhen’s goal threat, could really put the kibosh on Liverpool’s chances and give them a decent result. But the Reds have got the quality of Mohamed Salah and midfield control to create some chances – it’s just that away form in Istanbul and that keeper rotation add up to a bit of risk. I’m expecting this one to be a real tactical battle, and for both sides to score in a pretty cagey first leg ahead of that Anfield return
Final score prediction: Galatasaray 1-1 Liverpool
