Celtic will continue their 2026-27 Europa League league-stage campaign with an intriguing clash against Celta Vigo on Thursday night. Both sides have lost their opening two matches in this season’s competition and will be targeting a crucial victory when they meet at Celtic Park. Match preview Celtic head into the…...
Celtic will continue their 2026-27 Europa League league-stage campaign with an intriguing clash against Celta Vigo on Thursday night.
Both sides have lost their opening two matches in this season’s competition and will be targeting a crucial victory when they meet at Celtic Park.
Match preview
Celtic head into the encounter on the back of an emphatic result, having thrashed Hearts 7-1 in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday. The victory leaves them four points clear of second-placed Rangers at the top of the league table.
Martin O’Neill’s side have won eight of their nine league matches this season, but their European campaign has been disappointing. They suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros on September 17 before losing 4-1 to Benfica in Portugal last week.
The Scottish giants currently occupy 33rd position in the overall Europa League table, with matches against Celta Vigo, Besiktas, Torreense, Omonia, Marseille and Union SG still to come.
Celtic reached the knockout-round playoffs of the 2025-26 Europa League before losing to Stuttgart. They also suffered defeat to LASK Linz in the playoff round of this season’s Champions League, leaving them competing in Europe’s second-tier competition once again.
Their last appearance in the main Champions League competition came in the 2024-25 season, and they will be determined to secure a return to Europe’s premier club tournament for the 2027-28 campaign.
Read Also: Things To Know Ahead Of Benfica, Celtic Europa League Clash
Celta Vigo finished sixth in Spain’s top flight last season and will be hoping to build on their impressive run in the 2025-26 Europa League.
The Spanish side reached the quarter-finals of last season’s competition before losing to Freiburg. They also reached the semi-finals in the 2016-17 campaign, where they were eliminated by Manchester United.
Like Celtic, Celta will arrive in Scotland after recording a domestic victory, having defeated Alaves 2-1 on Sunday. The result leaves Claudio Giraldez’s side eighth in the La Liga standings.
However, their start to the Europa League season has been equally disappointing. Celta lost 1-0 to Omonia in their opening fixture on September 16 before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Juventus in their second match last week.
Celta still have Union SG, Bournemouth, Marseille, H. Beer Sheva and Lillestrom to face in the league stage of this season’s Europa League.
Celtic Europa League form:
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Celtic form (all competitions):
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Celta Vigo Europa League form:
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Celta Vigo form (all competitions):
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Team News
Celtic are expected to remain without Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is dealing with a muscular issue, while Alistair Johnston has been ruled out of Thursday’s encounter through injury.
The hosts will once again look to Camilo Duran for attacking inspiration. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a productive season so far, recording nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances.
Kasper Hogh has also contributed to Celtic’s attack, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 12 appearances this season. The 25-year-old is expected to feature in the forward line on Thursday night.
For Celta Vigo, Pablo Duran, Borja Iglesias, Carl Starfelt, Miguel Roman and Jones El Abdellaoui missed the weekend victory over Alaves, and all five players are expected to remain unavailable for the trip to Scotland.
Ferran Jutgla, who has scored twice for Celta this season, is expected to feature in the final third as the visitors look to improve their European fortunes.
Ilaix Moriba and Hugo Alvarez are also expected to start for the Spanish side.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Sinisalo; Donovan, Murray, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Baur; Duran, Sorensen, Tounekti; Hogh
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Radu; Rodriguez, Lago, Alonso; Rueda, Moriba, Febas, Carreira; Alvarez, Jutgla, Swedberg
Prediction: Celtic 1-1 Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo’s injury concerns could give Celtic an advantage, particularly with the Scottish side coming off a convincing domestic victory.
However, Celtic’s struggles in Europe this season suggest they may find it difficult to secure all three points against the Spanish visitors.
A closely contested, low-scoring draw appears to be a likely outcome at Celtic Park on Thursday night.