Celtic face a tough challenge on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena, needing to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Bayern Munich to secure a spot in the Champions League round of 16.
Bayern took control last week at Celtic Park thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Michael Olise, but Celtic’s Daizen Maeda pulled one back late, offering his side a slim chance to turn things around in Munich.
Heading into the second leg, Bayern might feel fortunate to be in front, considering they only managed six shots inside the box and posted a low xG of 0.7, compared to Celtic’s eight shots and 1.37 xG. Bayern also had a bit of luck in their 0-0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, where Leverkusen hit the woodwork twice and wasted several good chances.
However, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany can point to the fact that his team is comfortably ahead in the Bundesliga, sitting eight points clear of second-placed Leverkusen.
Kompany could also highlight Bayern's attacking form, having scored three or more goals in eight of their last 14 games across all competitions. Their 65 goals in the Bundesliga are the most in the league. Still, Saturday's draw with Leverkusen was their first non-win in six matches and only their second in 11 games.
Bayern will be confident of progressing, especially with a 20-match unbeaten streak at home in the Champions League, having drawn just four times in that run.
For Celtic, they posed a real threat in the first leg, particularly on the counter-attack. They could have taken the lead within the first minute but were denied by an offside call after Adam Idah blocked Manuel Neuer’s view of Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn’s shot.
The Scottish champions have met Bayern five times in their history, with no wins to show for it—four losses and one draw. Celtic, however, are in strong form domestically, sitting 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premiership with 69 points. Their only loss in their last five games came against Bayern in the first leg, while they’ve been scoring heavily, netting at least three goals in four of their last five matches.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Bayern head into the match with almost a full squad available, with only left-back Alphonso Davies and second-choice goalkeeper Daniel Peretz confirmed as absentees.
Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae are expected to start in central defence, with Raphael Guerreiro and Josip Stanisic likely to take up the full-back positions.
Harry Kane is guaranteed to lead the line for Bayern, with support potentially coming from Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman in attack.
For Celtic, winger James Forrest will miss out due to a foot injury and is not expected back until late February. Midfielder Paulo Bernardo is also sidelined with an ankle issue, and won’t return until mid-March.
With his side trailing by a goal, Brendan Rodgers might choose to start Jota in a front three alongside Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda.
In midfield, Celtic captain Callum McGregor is likely to anchor the midfield, with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate potentially playing as the two number eights.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, Engels; Maeda, Idah, Jota
EXPERT PREDICTION
Bayern Munich 3-0 Celtic
