Prediction: Celtic vs RB Leipzig

Verdict: Christopher Nkunku to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Facing what appears to be a must-win Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, Celtic will welcome RB Leipzig to Glasgow.

Celtic

Starting with the hosts, eventually managing to snatch what was a stunning last-gasp winner away at St. Johnstone a few days ago, Celtic will be desperate to keep up that momentum here. However, while the Scottish giants might still find themselves holding a two-point buffer at the top of the Premiership table, Ange Postecoglou’s men have shown some recent inconstancies on either side of September’s international break. On a run that is highlighted by a shock 2-0 loss at the hands of St. Mirren last month, the one-time Melbourne Victory boss has seen his side win just a pair of their previous six matchups across all formats. Likewise, suffering a deserved 3-1 loss when they made the trip out to Leipzig last week, Celtic have struggled to find much form while on Europen duties. Picking up just a single point from their opening three Group F showdowns, Postecoglou’s side faces a must-win battle on Tuesday night.

Team News

In what is a major blow for Celtic on Tuesday night, the Hoops will be without skipper Callum McGregor here after the Scotland international picked up a knee injury against Leipzig last week.

Both returning to full training, it looks like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Aaron Mooy could be handed a start in Glasgow. Bagging a last-gasp winner away at St. Johnstone last weekend, Giorgos Giakoumakis will be hoping to keep his spot here.

RB Leipzig

As for the visitors, also managing to mount a late comeback on the road last weekend as they snatched a 1-1 draw away at Mainz, RB Leipzig have found a much-needed boost since returning from September’s international break. Laying down a real Champions League marker last week as they picked up that 3-1 victory against Celtic at the Red Bull Arena, Marco Rose’s side will be looking for a repeat display on Tuesday night. Knowing that they still have a real chance to clinch a knockout stage ticket this year, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be calling on his attacking talisman to spearhead their charge in Glasgow. Once again finding the net away at Mainz a few days ago, Christopher Nkunku has continued on a remarkable free-scoring run. Heavily linked with a move to Premier League giants Chelsea, the 24-year-old has now scored four goals in his last three appearances.

Team News

Limping off against Celtic last week, Peter Gulasci will be replaced by Janis Blaswich between the sticks on Tuesday night. Likewise, Rose’s side will also be without the trio of Lukas Klostermann, Konrad Laimer and Dani Olmo here.

Impressing since returning from Chelsea on a permanent deal this summer, German international Timo Werner should join the free-scoring Nkunku and Andre Silva in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Red Bull Arena last week, RB Leipzig picked up a 3-1 victory.
• Celtic have managed to win just a pair of their previous six matchups across all formats.
• France international Christopher Nkunku has scored four goals in just his last three appearances.
• The Hoops have seen four of their last five matchups finish with both teams finding the net.
• RB Leipzig have seen seven of their last nine Champions League away fixtures finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

Conclusion

Watching Leipzig pick up an action-packed 3-1 victory on home soil last week, Tuesday’s guests should be smelling the chance to lay down another Champions League marker here. Still with their sights set on securing a knockout stage ticket this year, the German outfit will be looking to cash in on a Celtic side that have shown some recent inconsistencies. Managing to muster just a pair of victories from any of their last six matchups across all formats, the red-hot Nkunku will be hoping to extend on his recent purple patch. Once again finding the net away at Mainz a few days ago, the French international has now bagged four goals in just his last three outings. Likewise, opening the scoring when the two sides faced off in Germany last week, Nkunku should be hoping to test a leaky Celtic defence here.

Verdict: Christopher Nkunku to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet