2024-25 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Celtic vs Young Boys

Celtic look to boost their knockout play-off hopes against Young Boys in the league phase of 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. 

Victory could lift Celtic into the knockout play-off seeded positions, whilst eliminated Young Boys look to move off the foot of the table with at least a draw.

 

Team News

Celtic have no major injury concerns following their Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock, with only James Forrest ruled out with a foot injury.

Young Boys will be without Miguel Chaiwa, Saidy Janko (both muscle) and Christian Fassnacht (unspecified).

 

When is Kick-Off?

Celtic host Young Boys at Celtic Park on Wednesday 22 January at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Celtic’s first Champions League meeting against Young Boys, although they avoided defeat in two previous meetings in the First Round of 1993-94 UEFA Cup (W1, D1).
• Young Boys lost their only previous visit to Celtic in all UEFA competitions (L1), as they suffered a 1-0 defeat in September 1993 in the UEFA Cup.
• Celtic have kept clean sheets in each of their two previous meetings against Young Boys in all UEFA competitions.
• Celtic have failed to keep a clean sheet at home in the league phase of this season’s competition (W2, D1).
• Young Boys have scored two goals and conceded 12 on the road in the league phase this season (L3).

 

Prediction

With a tricky trip to Aston Villa in their final league phase fixture, Celtic know that victory here is imperative if they want to put themselves in a good position to secure a knockout play-off spot, which is achievable given their fierce home form this season so more of the same attacking spirit and two goals are probably needed.

Young Boys meanwhile have been poor but they can’t be underestimated now with nothing to play for as they will view this as a free hit, but their defending needs to be more tightly solid if want any chance of a result here.

I however do feel that Celtic will have too much for them if they turn up and can continue to deliver a dominant home display as seen constantly at home this season.

Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Young Boys

Result: Celtic 1-0 Young Boys