Will Eintracht give away their home advantage and points?
Almost 60,000 spectators will watch Frankfurt’s Champions League match against Galatasaray at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday evening. All tickets were sold out within minutes of going on sale. A high six-figure number of tickets could have been sold, with exorbitant prices of up to €3,500 currently being quoted on the secondary market.
Originally, the guest contingent in the east stand consisted of 3,000 tickets, but a five-figure number of Turkish fans is definitely expected. You can find out whether they will ultimately have something to cheer about in my Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray tip.
The visitors from Istanbul are traveling to the Main metropolis in high spirits, which is due in part to the impressive summer transfer window, but also to the perfect start to the new Süper Lig season. The reigning champions have five wins to their name after five match days.
This year, they are determined to improve on their poor Champions League record in previous seasons. The squad, led by former national players Sané and Gündogan, has been assembled to achieve success on the international stage! Ahead of the Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray match, however, predicting a Turkish victory is a risky undertaking.
Despite the many Galatasaray fans, the home advantage is likely to play into the hands of the Hessians. After the bitter 1-3 defeat last Friday in Leverkusen, when Toppmöller’s team failed to impress for the first time in their fourth competitive game, the head coach is hoping for a reaction.
On paper, the home side are the favorites. Between Frankfurt and Galatasaray, high odds of up to 3.35 are being offered on a victory for the Istanbul side. However, it may also be a conceivable approach to bet on a few goals being scored in front of an impressive and extremely atmospheric crowd in the Stadtwald.
Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray prediction AI
Only in Tuesday’s game between Real Madrid and Olympique Marseille does artificial intelligence expect more goals than in the clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and the Turkish champions. High xG values of 2.15 to 1.60 in favor of the Bundesliga club impressively confirm this.
With a total xG value of 3.75, it is therefore worth considering betting on four or more goals being scored during the game. Furthermore, as the probability of victory predicted by “BETSiE” (51.8%) is higher than the probability implied by the betting odds (48.8%), another Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray AI prediction also points to a home win.
Frankfurt – Statistics & current form
For only the second time since 2022/23, Eintracht Frankfurt has qualified for the main draw of the UEFA Champions League. After reaching the round of 16 three years ago, the Hessians are determined to at least reach the playoffs again in 2025/26. However, the 2022 Europa League champions face tough opponents in Liverpool, Napoli, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, among others. This makes it all the more important to start with a win and, ideally, turn their home stadium into a fortress in European competition.
Frankfurt’s starting lineup is pretty much set at the moment
If you believe the betting odds ahead of Frankfurt’s opening game against Galatasaray, the chances of a win on the first matchday of the Champions League group stage are actually pretty good. The SGE is considered the favorite by the best sports betting providers. This is primarily due to their strong 2024/25 Bundesliga season and their decent start to the new domestic campaign. Including the DFB Cup, they have already celebrated three wins in four competitive games. In particular, the Eagles put in a convincing performance in their only home game to date, beating Werder Bremen 4-1.
However, there are already personnel concerns at this early stage of the season. Kristensen was injured in the 1-3 defeat in Leverkusen. It is still too early for Götze and Skhiri to play in the Champions League during the week, and Hugo Larsson was still struggling with gastrointestinal problems at the weekend. The starting lineup will therefore not differ greatly from the team that put in their weakest performance of the season at Bayer on Friday evening. Nevertheless, I believe that the individual quality that is still there, coupled with home advantage, should be enough to give SGE the edge over Frankfurt and Galatasaray.
Galatasaray – Statistics & current form
At the national level, Galatasaray is undoubtedly the measure of all things. Internationally, however, Cimbom has been waiting for sustained success for decades. A glance at their recent Champions League record is enough to reveal the reasons for this. Of their last 32 games in Europe’s most important club competition, the Istanbul side have won just three (nine draws, 20 defeats). Away from home, they have lost 16 (!) of their last 20 Champions League games. Their only victory in this period dates back to October 2023, when they won three points at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
From a statistical point of view, it is therefore understandable that lower odds are being offered on a home win ahead of the Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray match. Nevertheless, there are arguments in favor of the visitors from Turkey.
Galatasaray dominates the Süperlig at will
Of course, the whole truth is that these are historical statistics. The status quo is different now, because after some remarkable transfers in the summer, the Gala management is hoping to finally play a more prominent role in the Champions League. This is supported by their current form, which could hardly be more positive. Fifteen points from five games is the maximum haul in the Turkish top flight. Fifteen goals scored and only one conceded are testament to their dominance and consistency. All games were also won by at least two goals.
However, Eintracht Frankfurt is a completely different caliber of opponent, which I believe will pose problems for the Cimbom defense, which has hardly been challenged so far. To make matters worse, Victor Osimhen, the most dangerous attacker, is still out with an injury. With Sané and Gündogan, two very well-known personalities in this country will probably be on the pitch from the start. Leroy Sané in particular brings a wealth of experience in the Champions League. The former Bayern star has 39 points in 73 CL games to his name. Thomas Müller is the only German who has surpassed this tally…
Frankfurt – Galatasaray Head-to-head record / H2H record
Frankfurt has faced Turkish opponents eight times in European competition, remaining unbeaten seven times (1-4-3). Gala’s record against German clubs is significantly worse, with two wins from twelve matches (2-3-7).
The only two direct encounters between the two sides took place over 30 years ago. In 1992/93, they faced each other in the second round of the UEFA Cup, with the Turks coming out on top after a 0-0 draw in Frankfurt and a narrow 1-0 win at home. Thursday evening’s Champions League opener is likely to be a much more goal-filled affair. Betano’s odds of 1.50 for at least three goals in the game should be a good Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray bet for combination tickets.
Frankfurt – Galatasaray Tip
Frankfurt’s offense has already scored eight goals in the first three Bundesliga games. In addition to Can Uzun and Ritsu Doan, Jean-Matteo Bahoya has also shown flashes of his potential. Against a Galatasaray team that is likely to defend courageously up front, I think the young, lightning-fast Frenchman is once again a likely candidate to score. The 4.10 offered by the Interwetten app for a Bahoya goal certainly promises attractive value.
Otherwise, I have made it relatively clear in my comments that I believe the hosts will get three points to start with. Gala are in good form, but have not really been challenged so far. That will inevitably change on Thursday evening, so I’m going to try a tip on a home win for the Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray match.
