Galatasaray v Barcelona: Preview, team news, stats and where to watch

Where to Watch Galatasaray v Barcelona: TV and online streams

Galatasaray versus Barcelona kicks off at 8pm BST (10pm local time) on Tuesday, October 13 at RAMS Park in Istanbul.

In the UK, it is being shown on TNT Sports. You can stream it on HBO Max.

If you live outside the UK, click the LINK HERE to find out where to watch it in your region.

Preview for Galatasaray v Barcelona

Barcelona have not dropped a single point all season. On Tuesday night they take that perfect record to one of the most intimidating grounds in European football, as they face Galatasaray at RAMS Park in the second round of the Champions League league phase.

Hansi Flick’s side made it eight La Liga wins out of eight on Saturday with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Getafe. Anthony Gordon scored inside two minutes, Gabriel Jesus pounced on a defensive error from Zaid Romero to add the second just before the half-hour, and Jules Koundé finished off a Lamine Yamal corner in the second half. Barca now sit on 24 points, and they opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Feyenoord at the Camp Nou.

This is a different kind of test, though. It is Barca’s first away game in Europe this season, and RAMS Park on a Champions League night is no place for the faint-hearted.

Galatasaray need a result after a difficult start in Europe. Okan Buruk’s side were beaten 3-1 away at Sporting CP on matchday one, and their domestic form has been patchy too. A 4-0 hammering by Trabzonspor last month cost them top spot in the Süper Lig, but they arrive in good spirits after a dramatic late win over Kasımpaşa on Friday night. Down to 10 men, Gala struck in the 90th and 96th minutes to win 3-1.

The best news for Buruk is that Victor Osimhen is ready to return. The Nigerian has been out since picking up a groin injury against Başakşehir on September 4, and Gala have missed him badly. Before the injury, he had scored six goals and added two assists in the first four league games of the season. Buruk deliberately kept Osimhen and İlkay Gündoğan on the bench against Kasımpaşa with this game in mind.

History heavily favours the visitors. Galatasaray have beaten Barcelona just once in 10 European meetings, a 2-1 Champions League win in November 1994. The last time the sides met, in the Europa League last 16 in 2022, Barca won 2-1 in Istanbul to go through.

The UEFA Champions League Table

Team News for Galatasaray v Barcelona

Osimhen is expected to start after being rested at the weekend. Turkish media reports suggest Buruk has largely settled on his XI, with Barış Alper Yılmaz set to continue at right-back after impressing there against Kasımpaşa.

Wilfried Singo and Günay Güvenç are both ruled out with muscle injuries while Roland Sallai is doubtful.

Flick has named the same 22-man squad that beat Getafe. Raphinha remains out with the thigh problem he picked up on international duty, and Flick confirmed last week that the club would not be taking any risks with him. Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji are unavailable.

Eric García is available for his first Champions League appearance of the season after serving his suspension against Feyenoord.

Expected line-ups for Galatasaray v Barcelona

Galatasaray: Çakır; Barış Alper, Sánchez, Bardakçı, Jakobs; Lemina, Torreira; Yunus Akgün, Batrakov, Leão; Osimhen

Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri, Fermín; Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Jesus, Gordon

Recent Form & Stats for Galatasaray v Barcelona

Prediction for Galatasaray v Barcelona

Galatasaray are vastly experienced European campaigners and have a squad full of know-how. However, the same can be said for Barcelona and they have the added quality. It will be feisty but the Catalans will march on.

Galatasaray

1 – 3

Barcelona

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