Celtic host VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League knockoutround play-off first leg on Thursday in a landmark 1,000th match for manager Martin O’Neill.
The Scottish giants defeated Utrecht 4-2 in their final league phase fixture, while Stuttgart beat Young Boys 3-2.
Match preview
Celtic finished 21st in the league phase, collecting 11 points from eight games. They scored 13 goals and conceded 15.
They are expected to attack often from the left flank and build on their set-piece prowess, with only FC Midtjylland scoring more goals from set-pieces than them.
Stuttgart finished 11th in the league phase, picking up 15 points, just one point adrift of a top-eight finish.
The German side are strong in attack, having scored 15 goals – the third-highest. They have defensive frailties, having conceded nine goals.
Stuttgart have won one and lost three of their four away games, highlighting their struggles on the road.
Having ranked third for possession per game, the visitors are expected to be dominant. Stuttgart tend to attack through the central areas and the left flank.
Team news
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Adam Montgomery, Jota, and Arne Engels will miss this game due to injuries.
Lazar Jovanovic and Dan-Axel Zagadou will sit this one out for Stuttgart. Nikolas Nartey and Luca Jaquez are doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
Celtic (4-3-3): Kasper Schmeichel, Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Julian Araujo, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti, Tomas Cvancara, Daizen Maeda.
Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Alexander Nubel, Josha Vagnoman, Finn Jeltsch, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Angelo Stiller, Atakan Karazor, Jamie Leweling, Deniz Undav, Chris Fuhrich, Ermedin Demirovic.
Prediction
We predict a 2-2 draw.
Stats from whoscored.com, transfermarkt.com & sofascore.com.
