THE ORB HAS SPOKEN: The Crowd Says Lamine Yamal Scores in the Istanbul Cauldron, and the Doubters Are Left Holding Cold Tea in the Mist

Draw the curtains and light the incense, darlings. The smoke curls over the Bosphorus, the drums of Istanbul pound like a heartbeat, and in the swirling glass I see a teenager in Barcelona colours walking into the loudest room in Europe. One question rattles the teacups: does Lamine Yamal score against Galatasaray? The crowd has gathered around my table, and it has already chosen its side.

First, the earthly omens. According to France 24, Barcelona arrive with nine wins from nine outings this season and goals pouring out of them, yet Hansi Flick says he would happily settle for a scrappy one-nil in the cauldron. A modest prophecy from a man holding a hot hand. UEFA reports that the teenage forward curled in a free-kick and set up two more in the five-one rout of Feyenoord, and has had a hand in at least one goal in each of his last nine appearances for club and country: a dozen goals and seven assists in that run.

The cards darken a little, though. UEFA's team news says Galatasaray's manager has warned his players that every error will be punished, Raphinha is out with a thigh problem, and the predicted line-up puts Yamal up front alongside Olmo and Gordon. With one star missing, more of the burden falls on the boy. Destiny loves that kind of weight.

Now to the orb itself. On Morfi's opinion markets, "Yes, he scores" leads with 60% consensus and "No, he doesn't score" trails on 40%. The market opened less than a day ago, and 48 traders have already put $194,265 behind their convictions. That's a clear verdict from the believers, but the orb is honest: the doubters have not left the room. They're sitting by the door, sipping cold tea and muttering about Turkish defenders.

Here is my reading, and it is pure opinion from a woman who talks to glass spheres. The Tower card hangs over the Ali Sami Yen: noise, pressure, a home crowd that can rattle grown men. But the Star card keeps turning up next to it, and the Star belongs to the boy who keeps scoring. I see a goal from him, and I see it coming late, just when the whistles are loudest. Flick can keep his humble one-nil prayer. My crystal wants a teenager silencing a stadium. If the orb is wrong, blame the incense.

Watch for the confirmed team sheets. If Yamal starts where the predicted line-ups put him, the believers will feel bolder. If Galatasaray's press bites early, the doubters will start getting louder. The cauldron is boiling, so pull up a chair, cross my palm with conviction and join the market on Morfi before the final whistle settles it.