2024-25 UCL Knockout Play-Offs: First Leg – Celtic vs Bayern Munich

Celtic host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their knockout play-off in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.

Celtic qualified for this stage after they finished the league phase in 21st position, whilst Bayern Munich only managed to finish 12th on goal difference and a single point off the top eight.

 

Team News

Daizen Maeda is available for Celtic after his two-match suspension was reduced on successful appeal.

Jota (fitness) and Paulo Bernardo (knock) are doubts but James Forrest (foot) is still absent.

Bayern could welcome Serge Gnabry and Joao Palhinha back from illness, which kept the pair out of their Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen.

Alphonso Davies (hamstring) remains ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Celtic host Bayern Munich at Celtic Park on Wednesday 12 February at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Celtic are winless in four previous Champions League meetings against Bayern Munich (D1, L3).
• Bayern are unbeaten in their two previous Champions League trips to Celtic (W1, D1).
• Two of Bayern’s three Champions League wins over Celtic were by 2-1 results.
• Celtic kept just one clean sheet at home in the League Phase (W3, D1).
• Bayern lost three of their four away fixtures in the League Phase (W1, L3).

 

Prediction

Having made several changes to his squad for their Scottish Cup victory over Raith Rovers, Brendan Rogers will have his key players available but they must be at their peak best if they want anything from this first leg, with clinical finishing and solid defending imperative to give themselves a chance in the return leg.

Bayern Munich though might not of been in solid away form in the League Phase but they do have enough depth and quality to pose huge issues if they don’t underestimate Celtic, and it is hard to see past them winning this tie come the end of their home leg.

I however do feel that Celtic will give them a huge fight on the Hoops’ home turf at least but Bayern really should seize the advantage going into the second leg.

Prediction: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich

Result: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich