Celtic vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Celtic welcome German giants Bayern Munich to Glasgow this evening in the Champions League play-offs.

Brendan Rodgers’ side avoided immediate elimination from the tournament by a single point despite losing to Aston Villa on matchday eight.

James Forrest is the only player expected to miss out with the Scotsman dealing with a foot injury. Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel missed last weekend with a back injury but has trained ahead of the first leg.

Daizen Maeda is available after his two-match suspension was rescinded by UEFA. Jota is also eligible to play after being registered in Celtic’s European squad.

Six-time winners Bayern were only a point away from sealing automatic qualification into the last 16.

Canadian full-back Alphonso Davies and former Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha haven’t travelled with the squad. The former is recovering from a hamstring strain while the latter is struggling with illness. Serge Gnabry has shaken off a cold that forced him to miss the weekend win against Werder Bremen.

Elsewhere, defender Hiroki Ito has been included in the squad after returning from a broken metatarsal. The former Stuttgart player is yet to debut since his £25 million move in the summer.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news

Form

Celtic: WLWWW

Celtic breezed past lower-league opposition at the weekend to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup. The Bhoys netted five times against Raith Rovers with Daizen Maeda scoring a hat-trick.

Brendan Rogers is vying for a treble in the second season of his second spell in charge.

The Glasgow club have already beaten Rangers in the League Cup final and hold a 13-point lead over their fierce rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic have recorded 16 goals in their last four games. They will need to be in form tonight to help their bid of making the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time since 2013.

Bayern Munich: LWWWW

Vincent Kompnay’s side extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to eight points at the weekend.

A Harry Kane brace helped Bayern dispatch Werder Bremen in a 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena. The England captain is the leading scorer in the German top-flight with 21 goals in just 19 appearances.

Bayern’s away form in Europe this season was ultimately the biggest factor in their failure to finish in the top eight. They lost three of their four away trips with defeats at Aston Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord – scoring just once.

The Bavarians will be hoping to change their fortunes on the road at Celtic Park tonight.

Last Meeting: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich, Champions League, 31st October 2017

Jupp Heynckes and his players weathered the Celtic storm to return to Germany with the full complement of points back in 2017.

The two sides had been drawn together in Group B of the Champions League group stage. In the reverse fixture, Bayern had comfortably won 3-0 in Munich.

They picked up where they left off against the Bhoys with Kingsley Coman scoring midway through the first period. An inconspicuous long ball from goalkeeper Sven Ulreich was controlled by the Frenchman who had ghosted in behind. Coman rounded Celtic stopper Craig Gordon before showing exemplary composure to finish past three covering defenders.

A crucial intervention from David Alaba prevented the hosts from equalising shortly after. Stuart Armstrong directed a cross into the six-yard box towards Moussa Dembele but Alaba managed to reach the ball before the striker.

After the interval, Gordon was equal to a drilled effort from James Rodriguez which kept his side in the contest. The importance of the save was further highlighted within minutes as Callum McGregor restored parity at Celtic Park. Armstrong’s precise through ball found his fellow countryman who passed it in between Ulreich’s legs.

But the jubilation in Glasgow was short-lived as the ruthless German outfit replied instantly. Alaba lofted a cross into the box and onto the head of Javi Martinez who towered above Nir Bitton to find the bottom corner.

Brendan Rogers’ side couldn’t find a second leveller and ended up with nothing to show for their spirited display.

Predicted Lineups

Celtic: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Idah, Kuhn.

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Laimer; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane.

Who is the referee?

Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano will be the match official. Diego Barbero and Angel Nevado will assist him while Jose Luis Munuera will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Carlos del Cerro Grande and he will be assisted by Tiago Martins.

What TV channel is Celtic vs Bayern Munich on?

Celtic vs Bayern Munich will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2 and Discovery+.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Celtic Park will be at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 12th February 2025.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich Match Odds

Celtic: 11/2

Draw: 9/2

Bayern Munich: 2/5

Read – Noughties Nines: Henrik Larsson – Celtic’s King of Kings

See more – Noughties Nines: Revisiting the greatest centre-forwards of the 2000s

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok