Celtic vs. Bayern Munich: UCL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

When Celtic welcomes German heavyweights Bayern Munich to Glasgow on Wednesday night, they will mark their first Champions League knockout game for twelve years.

The new league phase structure for Celtic was fantastic; however, for Bayern, who must first avoid not reaching the final 16 of the tournament for the first time in more than two decades, it worked poorly.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Following a dismal start to their European campaign, Bayern are already on the verge of creating unwelcome history while the Champions League only indeed enters the business end.

Vincent Kompany's side has lost three times on the road in the Champions League this season; Bayern has never lost four away games in a single European campaign.

Despite a spotless home record, Bayern missed out on the top eight and automatic promotion to the last 16 after a close loss at Aston Villa, followed by thrashes at Barcelona and Feyenoord.

In 16 straight Champions League campaigns, the Bavarians have advanced to the last 16; their previous failure to do so comes from the only time they have been eliminated before that level since the rebranding of the competition: from the group stage in a section comprising AC Milan, Deportivo La Coruna, and Lens in 2002.

Although Bayern only achieved two clean sheets and gave away at home to Dinamo Zagreb and Slovan Bratislava, their performance in the final third marks nothing wrong. They scored 20 goals in their eight league phase games.

Although Kompany's men put that right with a routine 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend to go eight points clear at the Bundesliga summit, a leaky defense almost amazingly cost them at the start of the month against Holstein Kiel, too, conceding three late goals in a narrow 4-3 win.

Over the last several years, facing Scottish competition has been good for Bayern; they have gone 13 games undefeated since a loss in 1989 against Hearts in the UEFA Cup, and four of those games have been against Celtic. Bayern earned a 0-0 draw in 2003 but won home and away against Celtic in the group stages in 2017.

On paper, a 0-0 draw would be fantastic for Celtic; however, given they would have to go and win at the Allianz Arena, it would not be beneficial regarding prospects of progressing.

There is little down for the hosts without a victory over Bayern in their past or only one against former Champions League champions; however, they did, at last, earn a first success against a German club in Europe during the league phase, defeating RB Leipzig 3-1 at Celtic Park.

If Celtic were to go here, more history has to be altered as they have lost all three knockout ties in the Champions League; their most recent defeat against Juventus in 2013 was a 5-0 aggregate loss.

In back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008, the Hoops made it to the last 16; however, after AC Milan and Barcelona eliminated them, European monarchy once again loomed in their way, a mountain to climb just ahead.

However, there will be plenty of confidence with 6-0 and 5-0 victories at home against Dundee and Raith Rovers in the previous week; Celtic is still undefeated at home in Europe this season.

If they are to have any chance ahead of the second leg, the victory over Leipzig added to a record of 10 points from their four home games in the league phase; however, there will need to be a similarly heroic effort to the one Celtic delighted against Barcelona in this tournament back in 2012.

Celtic x Bayern Munich Team News

After intense rotation in the cup triumph over Raith over the weekend, Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers will make numerous changes here once Adam Idah returns to continue his outstanding current run, which has seen him score four in three games.

After his straight red card against Young Boys on matchday seven, Daizen Maeda scored a hat trick against Raith but will be banned today. Yang Hyun-jun may, therefore, start instead.

While Paulo Bernardo is likely to join James Forrest on the sidelines after being forced out in the first half against Raith, Jota is still developing his fitness after eighteen months without kicking a ball.

While Alphonso Davies is still out with a hamstring problem despite recently signing a contract deal at the club, Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are also unsure after missing Bayern's weekend success due to sickness.

Kompany got the job with a full-strength squad, thus resisting the need to rotate over the weekend, and it might look nearly the same here, with Harry Kane poised to lead the line on his return to the British Isles.

Leroy Sane scored off the bench against Bremen, but Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman are the most probable duo to start wide; the latter scored in the previous encounter between the sides seven- and- half years ago.

Our Predictions

Bayern Munich to win @ 1.40 on Sky247.ng

Although Bayern represents a significant quality improvement, Celtic have been outstanding at home in Europe this season; all three victories came against teams ousted in the league round.

Bayern will be sure of moving even if they lose narrowly here, given their outstanding home record; nevertheless, Kompany's side should be able to quiet the loud home environment and take a commanding lead into the second leg despite losing three of their four away games in the league round.

Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.