Predicted Celtic line-up to face RB Leipzig in the Europa League
Celtic will welcome German club RB Leipzig at the Parkhead on Thursday in the fourth group-stage game of the Europa League.
The Hoops are in blistering form lately, having scored 13 goals in the last three games without conceding even once. Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are high on confidence and will look to avenge the last month’s defeat at RB Leipzig.
A win on Thursday will take Celtic level on points with second-placed Leipzig, who will come into this game on the back of a 3-0 win over Hertha in the Bundesliga.
Team News
Scott Brown, Jozo Sumunovic, Cristian Gamboa and Olivier Ntcham are all battling to be fit for the game, but Leigh Griffiths will miss out again as he battles back from injury. Kristoffer Ajer should be fit following his hamstring injury, though.
The Hoops have endured two big blows as Daniel Arzani and Eboue Kouassi could be out of the season due to knee injuries sustained against Hearts and Dundee respectively.
Probable Celtic XI
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Craig Gordon (GK)
Having kept two back-to-back clean-sheets, Gordon will be raring to keep another against Leipzig.
Mikael Lustig (RB)
Lustig has been backed relentlessly by the manager but there has hardly been any improvement in the Swede’s performances. However, he is still expected to keep his place in the team.
Filip Benkovic (CB)
Benkovic has been a rock at the back for the Hoops. He is a certain starter against Leipzig on Thursday.
Dedryck Boyata (CB)
Boyata is Celtic’s best defender and should start alongside Benkovic.
Kieran Tierney (LB)
Tierney is a bundle of energy who loves to bomb up and down the left. A fantastic crosser of the ball, the young Scotsman will look to cause problems to the Leipzig backline.
Callum McGregor (CM)
In the absence of Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Eboue Kouassi, McGregor has slotted in well in central midfield. He will look to play those defence-splitting passes and add creativity from the middle of the park.
Ryan Christie (CM)
Christie has bulldozed his way into the starting XI lately with some really exciting displays. He could be in for another start.
James Forrest (RM)
Forrest was suspended in the game at Leipzig but he has now back in the team and will look to help Celtic avenge last month’s defeat.
Scott Sinclair (LM)
Slowly starting to find his form but Sinclair clearly needs a run of games to get back to his best.
Tom Rogic (SS)
Rogic will bring creativity and guile in the final third. He will look to link up play between the midfield and attack.
Read more: 3 goals and 1 assist – Celtic should target this 26-year-old speed demon to replace Moussa Dembele
Odsonne Edouard (ST)
Edouard is bursting with confidence at the moment and will be eyeing to get on the score-sheet against Leipzig.
