Man City vs Galatasaray Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Manchester City are in a tricky position in the hunt for a top eight spot in the UEFA Champions League as they take on Turkish giants Galatasaray this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Man City preview: Frustrated City
Manchester City come into this one on the back of a much-needed and comfortable 2-0 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend with the goals being scored by Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo.
The Cityzens begin the final match day of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League sitting outside of the top eight on goal difference, though, as a result of a 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle last week.
Galatasaray preview: Mid-table Gala
Galatasaray don’t really have a realistic chance of finishing in the top eight due to the blockage of teams between themselves and those spots but they should be certain of securing a top 24 spot on the final match day.
The Turkish champions began their campaign well but have collected just one point from their last three matches in Europe. They did manage to ease past Fatih Karagumruk by three goals to one in the Super Lig at the weekend.
Man City team news: Defensive issues
New signing Marc Guehi cannot yet play while fellow centre-backs Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones are all out injured. Rodri is also missing through suspension after a red card received against Bodo/Glimt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, O’Reilly; Silva, Foden, Cherki; Haaland
Unavailable: Dias (Injured), Guehi (Ineligible), Gvardiol (Injured), Stones (Injured), Rodri (Suspended), Gonzalez (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Bobb (Injured), Savinho (Injured), Semenyo (Ineligible)
Questionable:
Galatasaray team news: Couple of injuries
Galatasaray have a couple of injury issues for this one, such as Wilfried Singo and Arda Unyay, while defender Metehan Baltaci is one of those unavailable due to the Turkish football betting scandal.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Elmali; Torreira, Lemina; Sane, Akgun, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Unavailable: Baltaci (Disciplinary), Singo (Injured), Unyay (Injured), Lang (Ineligible), Asprilla (Ineligible)
Questionable:
Man City vs Galatasaray prediction
Galatasaray head to Manchester with an abundance of attacking options, even without Noa Lang and Yaser Asprilla yet being eligible to play in Europe for the Turks. The fact that City have so many defensive issues will also give former City winger Leroy Sane and key striker Victor Osimhen a bit of added confidence. City should themselves also score against an often entertaining Gala side and it should be a fun watch for the neutral at the Etihad.
Man City vs Galatasaray Tip: Over 2.5 goals
