Galatasaray vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Galatasaray play their first 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase game in Istanbul as the Turks come up against Spanish champions Barcelona.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Galatasaray preview: Good at home
Galatasaray were very good in Istanbul last season but their performances on the road in the UEFA Champions League really did undermine them – and a similar theme has continued onto this season with their defeat in their league phase opener.
Up against Portuguese giants Sporting CP at Estadio Jose Alvalade last month, Galatasaray succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in Lisbon after they had taken an early lead before being, once again, defensively woeful away from home in Europe.
Barcelona preview: Relentless Barca
Barcelona eased to a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Getafe at Camp Nou in La Liga at the weekend with goals from Anthony Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Jules Kounde – and yet that comfortable win was a bit underwhelming in comparison to before the break.
That is because Barca have played nine games across all competitions so far this season and they have only failed to score more than three goals on three occasions with Hansi Flick’s remarkably relentless Blaugrana looking ominously good.
Galatasaray team news: Singo out
Former Monaco defender Wilfried Singo is sidelined due to a thigh injury for the hosts. Abdulkerim Bardakci and Lesley Ugochukwu are suspended domestically but should both be fresh for the visit of Barcelona. Victor Osimhen has returned to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Jakobs, Elmali; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Batrakov, Akgun; Osimhen
Unavailable: Singo (Injured)
Questionable:
Barcelona team news: Raphinha out
After a remarkably impressive start to the season, Raphinha suffered an injury while with Brazil and so is sidelined, having missed the game against Getafe. Flick has opted to rotate a fair bit at times this season and so that could again be the case for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): J. Garcia, Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Adeyemi; Gordon
Unavailable: Christensen (Injured), De Jong (Injured), Bardghji (Injured), Raphinha (Injured)
Questionable:
Galatasaray vs Barcelona prediction
Hansi Flick’s extreme style of football can be punished if teams are smart and get in behind with regularity, and Galatasaray will fancy themselves to be capable of that in Turkiye. Their form when at home is in stark contrast to being on the road, too, and that will also give them confidence but Barca remain the firm favourites for what is again expected to be a goal-laden clash here.
Galatasaray vs Barcelona Tip: Barcelona to win & over 2.5 goals
