Bayer Leverkusen have the chance to officially seal qualification to the Europa League knockouts as they welcome Celtic to the BayArena on Thursday evening. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
Leverkusen were big winners when they paid a visit to Celtic Park in the reverse fixture about two months ago. There were four different scorers for the German club who ran riot with a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
Highly-anticipated encounter on the cards
Leverkusen have been heads and shoulders above every other team in Group G as they head into this Matchday five encounter at the summit of the standings. Although Real Betis did well to keep up with the group leaders in the first half of the group games, Leverkusen pulled away with that 4-0 win against the Spanish outfit in their most recent Europa League matchup to make it 10 points amassed from a possible 12. Gerard Seoane's charges have also been decent domestically with the side currently in 4th position on the German Bundesliga standings. Last weekend, Amine Adli netted the only goal of the game as they triumphed against VfL Bochum, stretching their unbeaten run to three in all competitions.
Celtic didn't have the best start to their UEFA Europa League campaign, losing their first two group games. However, it is safe to say that they're now back in the qualification discussion having picked up six points against Ferencvarosi. Celtic head into this game unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, winning their last three and although Thursday's opponents are probably lightyears ahead of most of the teams they faced in terms of quality, Celtic would travel to Germany with confidence through the roof which might just be all they need to pull off a shock result. In their most recent game. they got the better of St. Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup semifinals via a solitary strike from James Forrest.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Celtic Team News
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting XI:
Hradecky; Frimpong, Kossounou, Tapsoba, Sinkgraven; Palacios, Andrich; Diaby, Wirtz, Amiri; Adli
Celtic possible starting XI:
Hart; Ralston, Carter-Wickers, Urhoghide, Juranovic; Turnbull, McCarthy; McGregor, Forrest, Furuhashi; Abada
Bayer Leverkusen vs Celtic Prediction: 2-0
Leverkusen have been impeccable in the Europa League group stage with their only blemish being the draw against Betis on Matchday three. Celtic are also on the ascension having won their last two continental matches, however, we don't think they have enough to upset Seoane's young guns at the BayArena.