Liverpool And Galatasaray Meet For The Third Time This Season
Anfield | Champions League | Wednesday March 18 | 8pm
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray Preview
As far as Champions League comebacks go, Liverpool are very well acquainted with turning ties around in Europe’s elite club competition. The Reds find themselves 1-0 down to Galatasaray after a lacklustre performance in Istanbul last week.
Mario Lemina scored the only goal of the game which gifted the Turkish giants a slender round of 16 first-leg lead. It was the second time the Lions have beaten the Merseysiders this season. Okan Buruk’s charges also won by a single goal at Rams Park in the league phase six months ago.
As the likes of Barcelona and Milan are very much aware, the six-time European champions have it in their repertoire to overturn the deficit. Especially with a vocal and passionate Anfield crowd under the lights spurring the team on.
However, Arne Slot’s side head into the crunch encounter having drawn to lowly Tottenham on the weekend. A trademark Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick gave Liverpool the lead before Richarlison struck late-on to ensure a share of the spoils.
As for Galatasaray, they have won their last five games across all competitions and naturally, their confidence will be brimming. Which is something that can’t be ignored when it comes to Champions League betting on BetVictor’s Liverpool vs Galatasaray betting markets.
The Turks will fancy their chances in the North West of England. Coupled with the Reds patchy form and the pressure on Slot coming back under the spotlight, it makes for a hugely exciting and intriguing second-leg.
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray H2H Record
Of the six previous encounters between Liverpool and Galatasaray, the Premier League giants only have a single success to their name. Another factor that should warrant attention on BetVictor’s football betting markets ahead of the game.
That success came back in the 2006-07 group stages whereby Peter Crouch (2) and Luis Garcia scored in a 3-2 win at Anfield. The overall record reads three wins for the Turkish giants – all coming in their last three meetings – plus two draws.
- 10/03/2026 – Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
- 30/09/2025 – Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
- 05/12/2006 – Galatasaray 3-2 Liverpool
- 27/09/2006 – Liverpool 3-2 Galatasaray
- 26/02/2002 – Galatasaray 1-1 Liverpool
- 20/02/2002 – Liverpool 1-1 Galatasaray
Liverpool Form: Brilliant in Patches, Fragile in Others
Liverpool’s recent form across their last five games in all competitions reads as: DLWLW. Consistently inconsistently which has ultimately, been the story of their 2025-26 campaign. Admittedly, the Reds have been a lot better in the Champions League this term but last week’s defeat is hard to ignore.
In terms of goals, the Reds are at their most dangerous between 31 and 45 minutes, generating 21.05% of their goals in that window. If you’re watching this game, the period just before half-time is when Liverpool tend to come alive.
The concern? They are most vulnerable in the opening 15 minutes. That’s a problem when you’re facing a side like Galatasaray.
The xG data tells an interesting story. In the away loss to Wolves on March 3, Liverpool posted an xG of 1.83 to Wolves’ 0.44 with 19 shots to just 4. They were utterly dominant and still lost — a frustrating variance that can shake confidence.
However, it’s worth noting that Liverpool bounced back immediately, beating the same Wolves side three days later on March 6 with a 3-1 away win in the FA Cup, posting an even more dominant xG of 1.92 vs 0.67 with 67% possession — suggesting their conversion issues were quickly addressed rather than a chronic problem.
The 1-1 draw with Spurs on March 15 showed similar control (xG 1.7 vs 1.18, 63% possession) without the reward of a win.
4 clean sheets in the Champions League this term shows that Arne Slot’s side can thwart their opponents and generally, they have enough about them at the other end of the pitch.
Galatasaray Form: Quietly Dangerous
Galatasaray arrive in glorious form. Their recent run reads WWWWW and they just dismantled Başakşehir 3-0 on March 14 with an xG of 2.78 to 0.48 and 67% possession. That’s a dominant display by any measure.
Their attacking pattern is the key data point here. Galatasaray score 23.53% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes. They come out fast. They press early. And Liverpool, by their own numbers, are most likely to concede in that exact same window.
That overlap is not a coincidence. It’s a genuine tactical concern.
Their defensive vulnerability sits in the 61-75 minute period, which is precisely when a roaring Anfield crowd might start to turn the screw. Worth keeping in mind.
On discipline, Galatasaray pick up the bulk of their yellow cards late. 9 bookings in the 76-90 minute window. If this game gets tight and physical in the closing stages, that’s a card market worth exploring.
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray Betting Angles
Early Goal Market
This is the standout angle. Galatasaray score nearly a quarter of their goals inside the first 15 minutes. Liverpool concede most frequently in that same period. The smart money suggests the first goal before 15 minutes or an early goal in the first half market carries real value here.
First Half Goals
Liverpool’s attacking peak comes between 31-45 minutes. Combine that with Galatasaray’s early threat and you have a first half that could be genuinely lively. Over 1.5 first half goals is worth a look given both teams’ attacking patterns.
Galatasaray to Score
They’ve scored in both meetings this season. They arrive in form. Liverpool are defensively vulnerable. The value lies in backing Galatasaray to get on the scoresheet, regardless of the final result.
Late Cards Market
With Galatasaray collecting 9 yellow cards in the 76-90 minute window, a game that gets tight and physical late — as this one likely will — sets up the late bookings market nicely.
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray Weather Conditions
Kick-off at Anfield will be played in 11°C with overcast skies and moderate wind. No rain expected. A firm surface suits Liverpool’s passing game, but conditions are neutral enough to not be a factor either way.
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Galatasaray: Cakir; Sallai, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen
Liverpool Vs Galatasaray Prediction
Although Liverpool have the vibrant and passionate home support, the better xG history and Champions League pedigree, Galatasaray are riding the crest of of a wave currently. Even more so as they have gotten the better of the Reds twice already this season.
Wednesday’s clash has plenty of potential to be a European classic but ultimately, the Turkish giants have enough about them to shade what is expected to be an end-to-end encounter.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Galatasaray
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