In their final Group E fixture, Celtic will host Feyenoord at Parkhead, two teams that have missed qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. Feyenoord secured a 2-0 win against Celtic in the reverse fixture on matchday one.
Match Preview
Celtic’s wait to progress in the Champions League continues as they have had a dismal group stage, losing four and drawing one of their five Group E games this season.
Their elimination from European competitions happened after a 2-0 defeat to Lazio on matchday five.
Brendan Rodgers’s side, though, managed two consecutive wins in the Scottish Premiership but faced an unexpected 2-1 defeat against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Celtic sits at the bottom of Group E and will aim to finish their Champions League campaign positively, trying to break a 12-game winless streak at home in the competition.
Feyenoord, despite their aspirations to progress, secured third place after a 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on matchday five.
They’ve had mixed results lately, including a 2-1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie but returned to winning ways against FC Volendam.
Both teams have struggled in the Champions League recently, but Feyenoord will seek to break their seven-game winless away streak. They hold a favorable record against Scottish opposition in European meetings.
Team News
Celtic’s Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and James McCarthy are unavailable due to various injuries. Midfielder Matt O’Riley has been in good form and might continue in midfield alongside Callum McGregor.
Feyenoord will miss Bart Nieuwkoop and Quilindschy Hartman due to injury concerns. The availability of Alireza Jahanbakhsh is uncertain, and the team will assess his fitness before the match.
Possible Lineups
Celtic: (4-3-3)
Hart;
A. Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor;
O’Riley, McGregor, Turnbull;
Yang, Furuhashi, Palma
Feyenoord: (4-2-3-1)
Bijlow;
Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Lopez;
Wieffer, Timber;
Minteh, Stengs, Paixao;
Gimenez
Prediction: Celtic 1-2 Feyenoord
While Celtic seeks redemption and a home victory after their recent league loss, Feyenoord aims to end their Champions League away drought.
Considering Feyenoord’s away struggles and Celtic’s determination to secure a home win, we predict Feyenoord edging a close victory with the inspired form of Gimenez leading the visitors to success in Glasgow.