Celtic host RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, with the Scottish Premiership side surprisingly faring better than their German Bundesliga counterparts ahead of the meeting.
Brendan Rodgers’ team have taken four points from their first three games in Europe this season, sitting 20th in the expanded table – good for a playoff spot if they finish there after eight games – while Leipzig have been beaten three times and are 31st out of 36.
Celtic have little margin for error all the same if they want to reach the playoff games; their only defeat this term so far came against German opponents in Borussia Dortmund – who Leipzig are three places and four points above – and the Scots still have to play Aston Villa as well as a couple of tricky home games.
Leipzig’s Champions League fixtures are admittedly awful; having already been beaten by Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool, they still have to face Inter, Aston Villa and Sporting CP among others – making this trip to Celtic Park a must-win.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
When is the match?
Celtic v Leipzig kicks off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 5 November.
Where can I watch?
The match will be screened on TNT Sports 2 and Ultimate. Subscribers can stream the game on the discovery+ app.
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What is the team news?
Celtic have a full squad to choose from so Brendan Rodgers will go at top strength following a big weekend win over Aberdeen. Liam Scales and Greg Taylor could return to the lineup while Kyogo Furuhashi should lead the attack again.
Leipzig are without key creative attacker Xavi Simons who was injured against Liverpool, while each of Castello Lukeba, Xaver Schlager and David Raum are also out. Christoph Baumgartner may get the nod in Simons’ absence.
Predicted lineups
CEL – Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Engels, McGregor, Hatate, Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda
RBL – Gulacsi, Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Henrichs, Vermeeren, Haidara, Baumgartner, Openda, Nusa, Sesko
Odds
Celtic 9/4
Draw 14/5
Leipzig 15/13
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Prediction
Leipzig to get up and running for the Champions League campaign with a high-scoring victory. Celtic 1-3 RB Leipzig.
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