Match Details
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Time: 12:00 GMT
Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
Celtic vs. RB Leipzig Match Preview
This will be one of the most mouthwatering Champions League clashes as Celtic host RB Leipzig on Tuesday. The Scottish champions have had a mixed start with a win, a draw, and a loss, while Leipzig is yet to claim a single point, losing each game by a slim margin. Here’s what to expect from both sides, key players, team form, and predictions.
Recent Celtic Champions League Form and Strong Home Record:
After the crushing defeat at Borussia Dortmund 7-1 in their opening match in the Champions League, Celtic came back to hold goalless Atalanta BC. The Scottish champions were resolute in defense, marshaled by their experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who made seven telling saves to deny Atalanta, and have since garnered four points in three games.
This has, of late, been Celtic’s home advantage after a 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava marked their second successive Champions League win on home turf at Celtic Park. Domestically, the momentum continued as they secured a spot in the Scottish League Cup final with a 6-0 rout of Aberdeen. With four clean sheets in as many outings and just one loss in their last 24, Celtic look set for an impressive evening at home.
Celtic Key Stats:
Unbeaten at home in the Champions League this term.
Kept four straight clean sheets across all formats.
Won 5-1 against Slovan Bratislava in their last Champions League home clash.
RB Leipzig’s Struggles in Champions League and Recent Bundesliga Form
RB Leipzig remain without a point in this season’s Champions League after close losses to Atlético Madrid 2-1, Juventus 3-2, and Liverpool 1-0. While three of Leipzig’s Champions League goals belong to Benjamin Sesko, this side is inconsistent. Thus far, it has been a poor Leipzig attack, as teammates of Sesko fail to score from a further 34 shots.
Though struggling in Europe, Leipzig’s Bundesliga performance has been solid with only one loss in their last 11 away and a record-setting defensive streak of 510 minutes without conceding a goal. Leipzig’s loss to Borussia Dortmund over the weekend, Leipzig’s defense is one of the best in the Bundesliga with just five goals allowed.
Key Points for RB Leipzig:
Not yet collected a Champions League point this season.
Sturdy Bundesliga defense, that has let in only five goals.
Benjamin Sesko has netted all three Champions League goals for Leipzig.
Celtic vs. RB Leipzig Team News and Possible Lineups
Rodgers also welcomed back a number of important players into his side, including his captain Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn, who managed to find the back of the net, and could start up top this evening alongside Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi, with three in his last four Champions League appearances. On his 38th birthday, Schmeichel will be hoping for another clean sheet against Leipzig’s potent attack.
Meanwhile, Leipzig are struggling with injuries. David Raum, Xaver Schlager, Castello Lukeba and Xavi Simons will be missing, but Nicolas Seiwald could make a comeback. Peter Gulacsi has been in fine goalkeeping form lately and will be seeking Leipzig’s first Champions League clean sheet this season.
Celtic Predicted Lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Furuhashi, Kuhn
RB Leipzig Predicted Lineup:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Klostermann, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Sesko, Openda
Prediction: Celtic 1-2 RB Leipzig
This one is going to be full-on, end-to-end football, as both teams would look to use an attack-minded approach. While Celtic have been decent at the back in recent times, Leipzig’s more solid backline and the need for all three points could see them pip the hosts.
Prediction Summary:
Final Score: Celtic 1-2 RB Leipzig
Winning Tip: Leipzig’s disciplined defense and need for points make them the likely victors in this high-stakes clash at Celtic Park.
