Celtic’s Champions League survival is on the line as resurgent RB Leipzig arrive at Parkhead for a ‘make or break’ Group F showdown.
Time is ticking for Ange Postecoglou’s side following last week’s 3-1 defeat at the Red Bull Arena.
Left with a single point at the halfway stage, the Hoops trail second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk by three points and can ill-afford another underwhelming result if they’re to keep the dream alive.
Not since 2012/12 had Celtic made it to the Champions League knock-outs, and anything other than a victory here may well condemn them to another group stage elimination.
However, their visitors will be equally desperate to take home all three points after a sub-standard European start.
Before beating the Scottish Premiership champions last week, Leipzig had lost back-to-back Group F matches and cannot afford any more slip-ups if they’re to remain in contention for a runner-up finish.
With second-placed Shakhtar taking on section leaders Real Madrid on neutral soil in Warsaw, Marco Rose’s men can take advantage of the Ukrainians’ potential failure to seize the runner-up spot.
Only one point separates the two sides ahead of matchday four which could be looked back on as a decisive one for all participants, except Los Merengues, who already have one foot in the knock-outs.
Match Preview
Celtic
Tightening up Celtic’s fragile backline tops Postecolgou’s assignment list after his team failed to keep a clean sheet in 22 of their last 23 outings across major European competitions.
A whopping 55 goals conceded across those 22 games sum up the Bhoys’ massive defensive woes in a nutshell and perhaps explain why they’ve lost their last six home fixtures in the Champions League.
There’s a piece of unwanted history hanging in the balance as another defeat here would see Celtic equal the longest losing streak in Champions League home matches set by Monaco between 2017-18.
RB Leipzig
Faced with the prospect of bowing out of the Champions League group phase for the second season running, Leipzig will be out to build on their three-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W2, D1).
With room for error narrowed to a minimum, Die Roten Bullen may fear their unfathomable 11-match Champions League form (W3, D1, L7) as an ominous sign.
Playing outside their country has been Leipzig’s Achilles heel, though, as they’ve ended up on the losing side on six of their last eight Champions League travels (W2).
Celtic vs RB Leipzig Potential Line-ups
Celtic (4-3-3): Joe Hart; Josip Juranovic, Kyle Carter-Vickers, Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor; Reo Hatate, James McCarthy, Matt O’Riley; Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota.
RB Leipzig (4-2-3-1): Janis Blaswich; Mohamed Simakan, Willi Orban, Josko Gvardiol, David Raum; Kevin Kampl, Xaver Schlager; Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku, Timo Werner; Andre Silva.
How to Watch?
Celtic vs Leipzig, alongside all other matches in Europe’s most prestigious club competition this season, is available to watch online via Champions League live streams.
And if you are interested in attending a future Champions League game, see our Champions League tickets page for more information.
Celtic vs RB Leipzig Prediction
Both sides have struggled with inconsistent performances lately, but Leipzig’s convincing display in Germany last time out showed there’s a substantial gulf in class between the two.
We expect the Bundesliga powerhouse to win in Glasgow and reinforce their bid to qualify for the round of 16.
Celtic 1-2 RB Leipzig
