UEFA Champions League Prediction: Galatasaray – Atletico Madrid (21-01-2026)

In form Atletico Madrid are very close to securing promotion to the quarterfinals. This time they are traveling to Turkey, to face Galatasaray, who must collect points in order to make the top 24.

After a shaky start, Atletico Madrid found their fortune in the European competition and now are on 3 games winning streak. The streak includes the wins over pot 1 team Inter 2-1 and recently 2-3 away win over PSV, who previously crushed Liverpool.

These wins landed the Spanish side in the 8th position and despite the early losses against Liverpool and Arsenal, D.Simeone’s men were able to redeem themselves. In the last round Atleti will welcome Bodo/Glimt, so the knockout stages are fingertips away.

Rojiblancos started the year with a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad and later were eliminated by Real Madrid from Spanish Super Cup competition. D.Simeone got his first 2026 win in the Copa Del Rey as Atleti beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 and qualified to the semi-finals.

The only Turkish side of the competition is still not certain about the destiny. Galatasaray won 3 matches, but failed to collect any points in other matches which left them only 18th.

Galatasaray looks better at home and even beat Liverpool 1-0 at Rams Park, which surprisingly was conquered by underdogs Royal SG in the later stages. Overall, Gala are unpredictable and fail to find any consistency and winning streak.

The Turkish side opened the year with 2-1 win over Trabzanspor, but lost the Turkish Cup final against Fenerbahce, which was one of the most important games of the season. They are still 1st in the Turkish League, but can feel the breathing of Fenerbahce who are only 3 points behind.

After this fixture, Galatasaray will face Manchester City away, so this match is the best chance to collect any type of points and qualify to further stages. Atleti will close out the final round at home versus Bodo/Glimt, therefore, a win is not a live or die type of situation for them in this fixture.

Since Atleti does not necessarily have much to push for and Galatasaray has failed to score twice in the competition, we are expecting goals under in this game, as suggested by sports bookmakers.