Celtic will look to win their first game of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League season when they welcome RB Leipzig to Celtic Park this Tuesday.
Venue: Celtic Park (Glasgow)
Key Statistics
Celtic have failed to win 21 of their last 23 matches in the UCL proper (D4, L17).
The hosts have a measly 15% win rate against German opponents in UEFA competitions (W4, D5, L18).
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five games.
RB Leipzig have recorded no draws across their last eight UCL proper away games (W2, L6).
The visitors have failed to win any of their last four away games in all competitions (D1, L3).
They have lost their last two games in Glasgow against both Rangers and Celtic.
Head to head
In three meetings between both sides, RB Leipzig have two wins while Celtic have one win.
Latest performances in all competitions
Celtic: W-L-W-L-D
RB Leipzig: D-W-W-L-L
Celtic
After their dramatic win over At. Johnstone at the weekend, Celtic will turn their attention to their quest to get three points in a UEFA Champions League group game this season.
The hosts kept their place at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table with a dramatic 2-1 win over St. Johnston. In a game that saw them open the scoring in the first half, St. Johnston scored a 93rd-minute equaliser only for Celtic to snatch a goal in the 95th minute to keep their two-point lead over Rangers in the domestic table.
But in Europe, Celtic currently sit at the bottom of their group, after recording one draw and two losses from their opening three games. The most recent of those results was a 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig in the reverse fixture.
After the game, manager Ange Postecoglou stated that the best way to progress is by “being brave and bold”. The Australian coach will now hope that his side can build on their ‘bold’ win over St. Johnston in the Scottish Premiership as they search for a repeat of the last time these sides shared a group back in the 2018/19 Europa League. Back then, both sides won their home fixture, but Celtic ultimately progressed at Leipzig’s expense.
However, leapfrogging the German side in this tournament may be much tougher though, especially considering Celtic have failed to win 21 of their last 23 matches in the UCL proper (D4, L17).
Possible Celtic starting line-up
Joe Hart; Josip Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor; Matt O’Riley, Sead Haksabonovic, Reo Hatate; Jota, Liel Abada, Georgios Giakoumakis.
Injured: Carl Starfelt, Callum McGregor, David Turnbull
Doubtful: Yosuke Ideguchi
Suspended: None
RB Leipzig
While they are doing considerably well in the UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig continue to toil in the league.
The hosts could not overpower Mainz last time out in the league as they were held to a 1-1 draw. The result took their points tally in the league to 12 points for the season and kept them a good way off the top four spots.
They will now turn their attention to the UCL where manager Marco Rose is looking to record a second consecutive win after his side beat Celtic 3-1 in the reverse fixture.
Should his side win here, the visitors would at least be guaranteed a bare minimum of a transfer to the UEFA Europa League knockouts. Given that they have recorded no draws across their last eight UCL proper away games (W2, L6), the points appear likely to go one way or the other.
But with each of their only prior visits to Glasgow ending in two draws, Leipzig must display the kind of tenacity that’s seen them score in five of the last six halves of play if they’re to succeed here.
Possible RB Leipzig starting line-up
Janis Blaswich; Mohamed Simakan, Willi Orban, Abdou Diallo; Kevin Kampl, Xaver Schlager, Amadou Haidara; Emil Forsberg, Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku; Timo Werner
Injured: Peter Gulacsi, Konrad Laimer, Dani Olmo, Lukas Klostermann
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Celtic 1-2 RB Leipzig
