Celtic Face Tough Test in Germany

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The 2018/19 Europa League group stage continues on Thursday night and Group B is really starting to take shape.  This week, the teams in second and third place meet at the Red Bull Arena as RB Leipzig and Celtic go head-to-head in Germany.

This is a hugely important game for both teams as they aim to finish in the top two places and reach the knockout stages.  A win for RB Leipzig would see them move 6 points clear of Celtic with three games remaining while a win for the Scottish champions would see them move level with the German club.

RB Leipzig picked up a 0-0 draw away to Augsburg in the Bundesliga on the weekend and although it was not the win they were hoping for it means they are unbeaten in their last six games. Four of those six games have ended in wins, one of which was in the Europa League at Rosenborg.

Having lost their opening Europa League group game at home to Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig could not afford to drop any more points in Norway and they came away from Rosenborg with a 3-1 victory.

Trends show RB Leipzig have won six of their eight home games in all competitions this season and have scored 2 or more goals in seven of those matches.  RB Leipzig have won five of their last six home Europa League games and scored three goals in three of their last four.

Celtic defeated Hibernian 4-2 at home in the Scottish Premiership on the weekend and they are currently 3 points off the top of the table. That win means Celtic have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

However, the one defeat in that run of five games came at the hands of Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League.  Celtic opened the scoring after just 2 minutes in that game and were leading 1-0 at half-time.  A second half comeback was on the cards when Red Bull Salzburg equalised after 55 minutes and the home team went on to win the game 3-1.

Celtic’s away form is not great and trends show they have won two of their last six away matches in all competitions.  Both wins came over St Johnstone and this match against RB Leipzig is going to be a much tougher assignment.

Team news and RB Leipzig are expected to recall Matheus Cunha to the attack having played in the previous two Europa League group games this season.  With no injury or suspension concerns, Ralf Rangnick has every player available.

Celtic travel without the injured Nir Bitton and suspended James Forrest.  Scott Brown left the pitch with an injury on the weekend and looks set to miss the match along with Kristoffer Ajer, who remains a doubt.

Both teams have been in good form recently but Celtic have not been at their best away from home. RB Leipzig score plenty of goals in home matches and could take maximum points with over 2.5 goals being scored.