Galatasaray vs Union SG Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Turkish giants Galatasaray are looking to build on a reasonably strong start to their UEFA Champions League campaign with the visit of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to Istanbul.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Galatasaray preview: Strong Gala
Having begun their return to the UEFA Champions League with a 5-1 demolition at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, Galatasaray have since risen to just outside of the top eight of the table after three successive victories on the continent.
The Turkish giants entertainingly defeated Genclerbirligi in the Super Lig at the weekend to mean that the Turkish champions have now suffered just one defeat in their last 11 matches across all competitions since that defeat to Frankfurt.
Union SG preview: Frustration for Union SG
After winning the Belgian title for the first time in nearly a century last season, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a surprise but impressive victory over PSV Eindhoven, but things have changed a fair bit since then.
Sebastian Pocognoli departed for Monaco in mid-October and they have lost three on the bounce in Europe since then. They did manage to defeat Cercle Brugge by two goals to nil in Brussels at the weekend, though.
Galatasaray team news: Doubtful Osimhen
The current top scorer in this season’s UEFA Champions League, Victor Osimhen, is a big doubt for the hosts this week, alongside both Kaan Ayhan and Mario Lemina.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Jakobs, Sanchez, Bardakci, Karatas; Sara, Torreira; Sane, Gundogan, Sallai; Yilmaz
Unavailable: Singo (Injured), Akgun (Injured)
Questionable: Lemina (Fitness), Ayhan (Injured), Kutlu (Injured), Osimhen (Injured)
Union SG team news: One change expected
Union SG are likely to make one change to their starting line-up after defender Fedde Leysen was forced off injured against Cercle Brugge last time out.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Sykes; Khalaily, Zorgane, Schoofs, Patris; Rodriguez; Akinpelu, Van de Perre
Unavailable: Leysen (Injured)
Questionable:
Galatasaray vs Union SG prediction
Galatasaray have been brilliant in the last few matches since they suffered a hammering against Frankfurt, which can now be put down as an anomalous outing. Union SG head to Turkey knowing they have the capabilities to strike effectively on the counter-attack and so it could burst out into an entertaining watch for the neutral, though Galatasaray remain the firm favourites for this one in Istanbul.
Galatasaray vs Union SG Tip: Galatasaray to win & both teams to score
