Celtic vs Bayern Munich Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | UEFA Champions League, February 12, 2025

Celtic vs Bayern Munich Preview

• Competition: UEFA Champions League.
• Date: Wednesday, February 12.
• Time: 8:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Celtic Park.

Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich is set to visit Scotland to face Celtic in the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg at the Celtic Park on Wednesday. This will be Celtic’s first knockout game in the competition in 12 years. Celtic benefited greatly from the competition’s new league phase structure, but Bayern could miss out on the competition’s round of 16 for the first time in more than 20 years.

The hosts secured the 21st rank in the league phase of the competition, winning three, losing three and drawing three games. They enter into this game on the back of three consecutive victories in the league. They will be high on confidence as in those games they have scored 14 goals and conceded just one. In the league phase of the competition, they secured their first win against a German side defeating RB Leipzig 3-1 at home. In the Scottish league, the hoops are sitting at the top of the table with a comfortable 13-point lead and have not lost a single game in the last five games.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, will be cautious of the fact that they have lost three times on the road in the Champions League this season. In the league phase, they finished 12th with 15 points. Despite having a perfect home record, Bayern missed out on the top eight and automatic advancement to the round of sixteen after suffering crushing losses at Barcelona and Feyenoord, followed by a close loss at Aston Villa.

They also nearly lost to Holstein Kiel at the beginning of the month due to poor defence, giving up three late goals in a close 4-3 victory. However, Kompany’s team made amends with a resounding 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen over the weekend, moving them up to the top of the Bundesliga by eight points.

In the recent past, Bayern won both legs against Celtic in the group stages back in 2017 but were held to a 0-0 draw here in 2003. Let’s have a look at the team news for both sides.

Celtic Team News

James Forrest, the Hoops’ seasoned winger, is the lone significant absence; he has been out since January due to a foot injury. Manager, Brendan Rodgers will be expected to start with Nicolas Kuehn in attack, who has scored 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season. Yang Hyun-jun may play in place of Daizen Maeda, who scored a hat trick against Raith but will be banned after receiving a straight red card against Young Boys on matchday seven.

Bayern Munich Team News

The Bavarians will travel to the Celtic Park with a lighter squad than usual. Joao Palhinha will not play because of sickness, and Daniel Peretz is still out with renal issues. Alphonso Davies is also unlikely to feature in the game as he trained individually before the game. To join Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-Jae, and Raphael Gurreiro in defence, Konrad Laimer may take Sacha Boey’s spot at right-back. It is anticipated that Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joshua Kimmich will continue their double-six-pivot collaboration.

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Celtic vs Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup

Celtic Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel

Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Greg Taylor

Midfielders: Arne Engels, Callum McGregor (C), Reo Hatate

Forwards: Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn, Idah, Alex Valle

Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Neuer

Defenders: Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro

Midfielders: Kimmich, Pavlovic, Musiala

Forwards: Sane, Gnabry, Kane

Celtic vs Bayern Munich Head-to-Head Record

In the recent past, both teams have faced twice in the group stages of the Champions League in 2017. In both the games the Bavarian were victorious.

Key Players to Watch out in Celtic vs Bayern Munich

Arne Engels (Celtic)

With three assists and one goal this season, the centre midfielder has been Celtic’s highest contributor in the Champions League. In his previous five games, the Belgian has also tried three attempts on goal and scored two goals. Additionally, Engels has made two interceptions. In the premiership, the midfielder scored eight goals and three assists for his team.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

The English striker has been on the scoreboard frequently this season and has grown to be a true asset for the Bundesliga powerhouses. In the 29 games played thus far across all competitions, the 31-year-old England captain has tallied 28 goals and nine assists. Their last five games have seen him earn a 0.84 xG. In the whole UCL campaign this season he boasts an xG of 6.1.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich Predictions

Both teams will try to be cautious and try to test each other’s patience because it’s the opening leg of the match. Given the strong matchup, we may anticipate a draw or a close outcome, with the second leg being the deciding factor. Bayern will have an edge considering the opposition but away record for the Bavarians has not been good, so Celtic might also have a chance.

Predicted Score: Celtic 0-2 Bayern Munich

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