Champions League: Will Lady Luck Side With Celtic or Bayern Munich?

Celtic vs Bayern Munich

After coming up short to claim one of the Top 8 places in the new Champions League format, Bayern Munich were drawn against Celtic in a tricky play-off tie. These two teams will play the first leg at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Wednesday night before heading to the Allianz Arena for the second leg next week. 

The Bavarian giants finished 12th in the League phase with 15 points but remain one of the most formidable sides in Europe since they’re the current Bundesliga leaders, with an eight-point lead over defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Vincent Kompany’s side is undefeated in their last four matches across all competitions.

Celtic were 21st in the League phase with 12 points, and they’re also on top of their domestic league standings. Brendan Rodgers’ men are also unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions.

 

Talking Points

Celtic get massive frontline boost

Celtic will need all hands on deck if they are to upset Bayern Munich this Wednesday, and they received a massive lineup boost. Brendan Rodgers will have Daizen Maeda available after a successful appeal.

Maeda originally received a two-game suspension after getting a straight red card in their match against Young Boys, but his ban was reduced to one match. The Japanese winger served the suspension in the team’s 4-2 loss against Aston Villa in the final matchday. Maeda is Celtic’s joint-second leading scorer with eight league goals and seven assists this term, and he is fresh from recording a hat-trick against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup fifth round last weekend.

Celtic also have Nicolas Gerrit Kuhn, Arne Engels, Adam Idah, and Reo Hatate to help Daizen Maeda shoulder the scoring load, as they have combined for 23 league goals and nine assists this season. Rodgers rotated Idah, Engels, and Hatate against Raith Rovers, so they should have fresh legs against Bayern Munich this Wednesday. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will have his hands full against Bayern Munich’s prolific forwards.

 

Fitness questions for Bayern Munich

Scoring won’t be a problem for Bayern Munich against Celtic, with Harry Kane leading. However, they have fitness concerns on the defensive side of the pitch, as Vincent Kompany will likely miss key players from there.

Joao Palhinha has missed the game against Werder Bremen because he was ill, and sporting director Max Eberl confirmed that the former Fulham midfielder will likely miss the trip to Glasgow. Alphonso Davies is still recovering from a minor leg injury and is training at Sabner Strasse, but he is doubtful this Wednesday. Centre-back Hiroki Ito would be eager to face his national teammates but has yet to make his competitive debut for Bayern Munich since arriving from VfB Stuttgart in the summer.

Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry also had bouts of illness last week, but they made it to the matchday squad against Werder Bremen. The two wingers are expected to compete against Celtic this Wednesday.

 

History

Wednesday marks the fifth meeting between Celtic and Bayern Munich in Europe. Celtic are winless across all four matches in the Champions League group stage (D1, L3). Bayern Munich are undefeated in their last 13 matches against Scottish sides in Europe (W9, D4), with their last defeat coming against Hearts in the UEFA Cup in February 1989 (1-0).

Celtic have won just one of their 12 European matches against German sides (D3, L8). Their most recent victory is a 3-1 result over RB Leipzig last November in the League phase. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have lost three of their four away matches (W1) in the Champions League this season. 

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2025 odds are in favour of the visitors this Wednesday. Bayern Munich are at 1.35 odds to win, whereas Celtic are 6.40 underdogs, and a draw is at 4.89 in the 1X2 market. Celtic can make life difficult for Bayern Munich, but the Bavarian giants have too much star power to lose this match (and tie).

Expect these two teams to be in this week’s Champions League 2025 highlights reel, with Bayern Munich having more entries. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors can also go for options like Over 3.00 at 1.62, Over 3.25 at 1.83, Over 3.50 at 2.08, and even Total Goal 4-6 at 2.30, with Total Goal 2-3 at 2.31 being the more conservative choice. Moreover, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of Bayern Munich – the result of their previous encounter – is priced at 7.90 your bet.

   

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