Prediction: Manchester City vs Galatasaray

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Manchester City face a decisive Champions League league‑phase fixture on Wednesday as they welcome Galatasaray to the Etihad Stadium.

City enter the final round in 11th place—level on points with several rivals but outside the top eight on goal difference—while Galatasaray sit 17th, narrowly above the elimination zone but still within reach of an automatic last‑16 berth.

Manchester City

After scraping into the knockout phase last season by finishing 22nd, Manchester City approached this year’s league phase aiming for a significant improvement. Their early form reflected that ambition: three wins and a draw from their opening four matches, including standout victories over Napoli (2‑0) and Borussia Dortmund (4‑1).

Matchday five brought a setback with a flat 2‑0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, but City responded immediately in domestic action, reeling off three Premier League wins against Leeds, Fulham and Sunderland. Their European campaign also regained momentum when they edged Real Madrid 2‑1 on matchday six, with Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly producing the decisive goals. That result extended an impressive run of 10 wins and three draws from 13 games.

However, the resurgence was abruptly halted. Manchester United handed Pep Guardiola’s side a 2‑0 derby defeat, and the slide continued with a damaging 3‑1 loss to Bodo/Glimt in Europe. That defeat dropped City to 11th in the standings and left them needing both a win and favourable results elsewhere to secure a top‑eight finish.

Team News

City face an extensive injury list: John Stones, Nico González, Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Savinho, Mateo Kovačić and Josko Gvardiol are all sidelined. Rodri is suspended.

Haaland and Phil Foden, both rested in the weekend win over Wolves, are expected to return to the starting lineup.

Galatasaray

Galatasaray remain mathematically capable of reaching the top eight, though doing so would require a combination of results aligning perfectly. More realistically, their priority is securing a place in the knockout rounds.

They hold a two‑point lead over 25th and 26th‑placed Napoli and Copenhagen, as well as a slightly larger buffer over several other challengers—but elimination is still possible should multiple outcomes go against them.

A positive result at the Etihad would guarantee progression. Even as underdogs, Galatasaray have produced notable performances, including a shock 1‑0 win over Liverpool and a 3‑1 victory against Bodo/Glimt—the same Norwegian side that defeated Manchester City last time out.

Team News

Galatasaray will be without Enes Büyük, Wilfried Singo, Arda Ünyay and Metehan Baltacı through injury or suspension.

Victor Osimhen—scorer of six goals in five Champions League matches—should lead the attack, supported by Leroy Sané, Ilkay Gündoğan and Barış Alper Yılmaz.

Head-to-Head

Competitive meetings between the sides are rare, but City have historically held the upper hand against Turkish clubs, particularly at the Etihad, where they have rarely dropped points in European competition.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, have often struggled against English opponents but have shown a capacity for major upsets this season.

Conclusion

Manchester City enter this contest as clear favourites and should be boosted by their comfortable weekend win over Wolves and the expected return of key attackers. Galatasaray, fighting to secure their place in the knockout stage, have shown they can trouble top opposition and may well find a goal.

Nevertheless, the balance of quality and home advantage points toward a City victory as Pep Guardiola’s team bid to break into the top eight on the final day.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: ZetBet