Man City clinched 22nd place at the death in the league phase of the Champions League last year. This time, their fate is far more stable, but the final matchday still comes with a serving of jeopardy.
With four victories and a draw from their first six fixtures in Europe, the Citizens were almost assured by the end of the year that they would not drop out of the competition before the knockout stages. Yet, a 3-1 beatdown at Bodo, after a 2-0 derby day defeat against Man United at Old Trafford, has left the side sitting in 11th position and at a serious risk of missing the automatic qualification places.
Back to winning ways against **Wolves**on the weekend, the team are now four points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal. However, there are still big questions about the heights that this camp can hit under Pep Guardiola, whose crowning feat as Man City manager in Istanbul feels a world away.
Much more humble ambitions are on the minds of Galatasaray. The Turkish champions are only three points behind Man City, capable of qualifying for the top eight if results go their way. But the likeliest outcome is a spot in the knockout playoffs, which would be assured if they avoid a defeat.
Littered with top talents from yesteryear across the continent, the team has major boom-bust potential.
Their continental campaign opened with a 5-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt, who thrived off the back of a series of self-inflicted errors, before the Turks triumphed 1-0 over Liverpool, then with three goals against **Bodo**and Ajax. Back-to-back defeats followed, but a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid meant the side sit in a more positive position. Can they bring the best of themselves to Manchester?
Man City
The Citizens are suffering with several absences from the spine of their side. John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are all out of action. Marc Guehi has arrived from Crystal Palace, featuring on the weekend against Wolves, but he is not registered for the squad in this tournament.
Nico Gonzalez is also absent due to a hamstring injury. **Rodri**has returned to action since the end of December, but a red card followed two bookings at Bodo, so he is another option out of the picture.
Champions League registration rules out Antoine Semenyo from this fixture after his switch from Bournemouth, but Phil Foden and Erling Haaland should be fit to feature after resting on Saturday.
Galatasaray
Three defenders could be absent for this trip to Manchester. Wilfried Singo has suffered a hamstring injury for the last few months, Metehan Baltaci is suspended, and Arda Unyay is a fitness doubt.
Gabriel Sara is expected to miss out, but Victor Osimhen is back after AFCON duty with Nigeria.
Leroy Sane andIlkay Gundoganwill get the chance to play at the home of their former club after four and seven years of service, respectively, for City. Lucas Torreira, formerly a midfielder for Arsenal, is another ex- Premier League player who should embrace the return to English soil.
Likely Line-ups
Man City
Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O'Reilly; Silva, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Galatasaray
Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Lemina, Torreira; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Key Players
Manchester City – Nico O’Reilly
With all the absences for Man City in defence and midfield, an academy graduate could be key.
Nico O’Reilly has emerged as a starting option for the Citizens in the last year, ousting summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri from the role of left back. Back on familiar turf, Sane will be keen to roll back the years with his explosive running and agile dribbling as a stern test for the 20-year-old.
Equally, O’Reilly, a midfielder by trade, could come into the centre of the field to fortify the structure. Tijjani Reijnders has earned the faith of his manager in advanced positions, and old experiments without the two Spanish sixes have highlighted problems that Bernardo Silva cannot solve alone.
Galatasaray – Victor Osimhen
Haaland holds the gold standard for strikers, but his counterpart on enemy lines is also a man to fear.
After making the move from **Napoli**permanent, **Victor Osimhen**has saved his best work for his new club in the Champions League. He converted the winning goal against Liverpool, netted twice against Bodo and bagged a hat-trick against **Ajax**to notch a tally of six strikes in just five games.
His aerial presence, channel running and height have the capacity to torment any defence, and against a makeshift backline, the Nigerian should sense the opportunity to cause an upset on Wednesday.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at Man City’s ground, the Etihad Stadium.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT on 28th January 2026.
How can I watch?
The coverage for the game will be accessible on **TNT Sports**for viewers in the United Kingdom.