Prediction: Celtic vs Bayer Leverkusen

Prediction: Celtic to win 1-0

Best Odds: 12/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen will face each other in the Europa League this week. The Group G game will be held at Celtic Park in Glasgow and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Thursday.

Celtic

Celtic were aiming to qualify for the Champions League this season, but the Scottish Premiership giants failed in their quest. The Hoops did eventually make it through to the Europa League group stage, but their start to the campaign has been far from perfect.

Ange Postecoglou’s side kicked off their Group G campaign with a 4-3 defeat to Real Betis away from home in Spain. The Hoops were actually 2-0 up after 27 minutes, but they failed to hold onto that lead. Celtic will head into the match against Bayer on the back of a 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

Team News:

Kyogo Furuhashi, Karamoko Dembele and Christopher Jullien are out due to injury.

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are one of the strongest teams in the Europa League and are among the favourites to go all the way in the competition. The Bundesliga outfit kicked off their Group G campaign with a 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros at home. 

Gerardo Seoane’s side will head into the match against Celtic on the back of a 1-0 win against Mainz at home in the Bundesliga. It followed a 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the league.

Team News:

Timothy Fosu-Mensah (knee), Julian Baumgartlinger (knee), Edmond Tapsoba (ankle), Exequiel Palacios (ankle) and Niklas Lomb (finger) all are injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• Celtic have won two of their last six competitive games.
• Celtic have lost three of their last six competitive games.
• Bayer Leverkusen have won their last three competitive matches.
• Bayer Leverkusen have lost one of their last six competitive matches.
• Bayer Leverkusen are second in the Bundesliga table at the moment.

Conclusion

Bayer Leverkusen are in good form and will be confident of at least picking up a point at Celtic Park. However, Celtic fans are hugely vociferous, and the home team will know that an early goal for them would be crucial. A narrow win for the Hoops is the most likely outcome in this match.

Prediction: Celtic to win 1-0

Best Odds: 12/1

Bookmaker: Betfair