Galatasaray vs Liverpool: Preview, prediction & team news as Osimhen eye massive victory

Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray are set to host Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at the RAMS Park tomorrow, Afrik Foot reports.

The Nigerian striker is the man most likely to decide the contest, like he did the last time both sides met last time out in September.

Osimhen decided the fixture from twelve yards during the Group Phase, but with a tougher clash on the horizon, and the stakes higher than before, the results could turn out differently this time.

Match Preview: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

The Cim Bom Aslan have put in tremendous work to reach the UEFA Champions League’s round of sixteen, edging past Juventus with a 7-5 aggregate score in the playoffs.

The nervy affair went into extra time after the Old Ladies mounted a remarkable 3-0 comeback despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half.

Goals from Victor Osimhen and Burak Asper Yilmaz in extra time helped Galatasaray put the game to bed, although Osimhen wasn’t too happy with the way his teammates performed on the night.

"I'm disappointed in the performance of the team."

Victor Osimhen speaks candidly on Galatasaray's scare against Juventus 👇 pic.twitter.com/7tPdmO2fqi

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 25, 2026

Galatasaray are in good form and have won all of their last three games, but will be without their supporters for the second leg at Anfield following crowd disturbances during their playoff clash with Juventus. That makes securing a strong result at home on Tuesday absolutely critical.

The Turkish giants have scored at least three goals in eight of their last 13 European home games at the stadium, though clean sheets have been harder to come by; they’ve kept just one in their past eight home fixtures in the competition.

While Arne Slot’s Liverpool qualified directly from the group phase, they’ll be heading to RAMS Park in a form that’s blown hot and cold all through the season.

Liverpool lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on March 3rd before bouncing back with a 3-1 FA Cup win on Friday. They currently sit sixth in the league, though their third-place finish in the Champions League league phase reflects a more composed European campaign.

Notably, the Reds have conceded just twice in four away Champions League fixtures this season while scoring nine, making them a formidable opponent on the road in Europe.

Still, Liverpool’s record against Galatasaray is historically poor. The Reds have suffered three losses, two draws and just one win in six meetings.

They’ve also conceded five goals across their last three matches, a concerning uptick in defensive vulnerability.

Team Form

Galatasaray’s Champions League form has been inconsistent, with five losses and a draw in their last six European outings, though their overall form across all competitions tells a more encouraging story, having won three of their last six matches, including back-to-back victories in their most recent two games.

Liverpool’s Champions League form has been largely impressive, winning five of their last six games in the competition with just one defeat.

Across all competitions, Slot’s side have been equally strong, winning five of their last six matches with only a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League breaking an otherwise dominant recent run.

Team News

For Nigerian fans, all eyes will be on Osimhen. Okan Buruk has indicated he intends to field a physical, disruptive side, and the Super Eagles striker is central to that plan.

The former Napoli striker has scored seven goals in this season’s Champions League, will be supported by forwards Baris Yilmaz and Noa Lang, while former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is expected to line up alongside Mario Lemina in midfield.

Only Harry Kane (8), Anthony Gordon (10), and Kylian Mbappe (13) have scored more Champions League goals than the Galatasaray striker.

Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley. Leoni is also out after suffering an ACL tear earlier this season.

As per Liverpool Echo, Alisson took part in Monday’s training at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby but felt some discomfort towards the end of the session and will not be risked as a result, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will be in goal.

Federico Chiesa was also absent from training and will not participate in the game against Galatasaray. Academy midfielder Afalomi Onanuga was called up in his stead. The 19-year-old is eligible to play for Nigeria and England.

Hugo Ekitike is set to lead the line, and with no viable options on the left wing, Cody Gakpo is primed to start against the Turkish Super Lig winners.

Probable Line-up

Galatasaray: Ugurcan Cakir; Roland Sallai, Davinson Sanchez,
Abdülkerim Bardakci, Ismail Jakobs; Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina; Baris Asper Yilmaz, David Sara, Leroy Sane; Victor Osimhen.

Liverpool: Giorgi Mamardashvili; Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz; Hugo Ekitike.

Tactical Preview

This tie promises to be a fascinating contest between two sides with very different strengths. Galatasaray will look to be direct and physical, using Osimhen’s pace, power and movement to stretch Liverpool’s backline and create space in behind.

The Nigerian striker thrives when service is delivered early, and Galatasaray’s creative midfielders will be tasked with finding him quickly before Liverpool’s defensive structure can set itself.

Noa Lang and Baris Yilmaz are expected to provide width and movement around Osimhen, while Lucas Torreira and Mario Lemina will form a combative midfield pairing designed to win second balls and disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm in possession. RAMS Park will be rocking, and Galatasaray will look to use the atmosphere to press Liverpool high and force mistakes early.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will rely on their trademark high-intensity pressing game and organised defensive shape to limit Galatasaray’s opportunities. Much of their defensive attention will likely focus on cutting off the supply lines to Osimhen, knowing that if the striker receives the ball in space behind the backline, he is capable of punishing them decisively.

Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz offer the attacking threat to hurt Galatasaray on the counter, and with the hosts having kept just one clean sheet in their last eight home European games, the Reds will fancy their chances of scoring.

Manager’s Approach

Okan Buruk has been clear in his intentions — he wants a physical, aggressive Galatasaray side capable of unsettling Liverpool from the first whistle.

Having already masterminded a victory over the Reds in the league phase, Buruk knows exactly how to set his team up to neutralise their opponents’ strengths, and he will look to build on that blueprint on Tuesday.

Securing a strong home result is especially critical given the absence of their supporters at Anfield for the second leg, making this first leg almost a must-win in terms of momentum.

Arne Slot, on the other hand, faces a delicate balancing act. Liverpool’s away form in Europe has been their strongest suit this season, and Slot will be keen to keep that record intact while managing a squad that has shown signs of fatigue and inconsistency domestically.

With injuries limiting his options, particularly at right back and up front, Slot may opt for a cautious, structured approach, prioritising defensive solidity and looking to hit Galatasaray on the break through the pace of Salah and the creativity of Szoboszlai and Wirtz.

Avoiding defeat in Istanbul, rather than chasing a win, could well be the Dutchman’s primary objective heading into Tuesday night.

Prediction

Galatasaray have already shown they can match and beat Liverpool, and with Osimhen in the kind of form that has made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers this season, the hosts will carry genuine belief into this tie.

With Alisson out and Chiesa not an option from the bench, the odds fall in Galatasaray’s favour, and they’re most likely to secure a win from the first leg at least.

Betting tips

Galatasaray have scored at least three goals in eight of their last 13 home European matches at RAMS Park, making both teams to score and over 2.5 goals attractive options. The hosts have kept just one clean sheet in their past eight home fixtures in the competition, suggesting Liverpool will find the net at some point during the evening.

Liverpool have scored three or more goals in three of their last five matches and have netted nine times in four away Champions League fixtures this season, underlining their attacking threat even on the road. However, their defensive record has wobbled recently, conceding five goals across their last three games.

Osimhen, with seven Champions League goals this season, looks a strong pick for anytime scorer, particularly given Liverpool’s recent defensive vulnerabilities. A Galatasaray win or draw at home also carries value, given they have already beaten Liverpool this season and own a strong recent home record.

How to Watch in Nigeria

Nigerian viewers can catch the match live on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, kicking off at 6:45 PM WAT. The game is available on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv, with streaming options through the DStv app. Sporty TV and Canal+ Afrique are additional options for those without a SuperSport subscription.