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Bayern Munich vs Celtic Preview: Team News & Prediction

by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
Bayern Munich vs Celtic Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Scottish champions Celtic gave themselves a chance as they head to the Allianz Arena with the aggregate score at 2-1 to Bayern Munich following the first-leg at Celtic Park last week.

Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 18th December, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+

Bayern Munich Preview: Bayern holding on

Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich have found things a little tougher on the continent than in the league this season. The Bavarians did manage to maintain an eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena at the weekend.

Bayern underwhelmed in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, hence having to partake in this round of the competition, but they did defeat Celtic by two goals to one last week to mean they have a massive advantage ahead of the second-leg.

Celtic Preview: Bhoys have a chance

In that first-leg at Parkhead, Bayern went a goal up via an excellent strike from Michael Olise on the stroke of half-time before Harry Kane doubled their advantage just after the break. Daizen Maeda scored late on to give Celtic a chance ahead of their trip to Germany.

Celtic have since continued to dominate domestically as they eased past Dundee United by three goals to nil in Glasgow at the weekend thanks to goals from Callum McGregor, Jota and Adam Idah to maintain a 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Bayern Munich Team News: Nothing fresh

There are no fresh injury concerns for Bayern Munich to deal with so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven. Joao Palhinha has suffered from a tough time of it since moving to the Allianz Arena and he is now once again unavailable due to injury. 

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane

Unavailable: Peretz (Injured), Davies (Injured), Palhinha (Injured)

Questionable: 

Celtic Team News: The importance of Maeda

Daizen Maeda was due to be suspended for last week but won his appeal against serving the second of a two-match ban on the eve of the visit of Bayern. The Japan international will be key for Celtic as they try to press a possession-dominant home team.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda

Unavailable: Forrest (Injured)

Questionable: 

Bayern Munich vs Celtic Prediction

Bayern Munich will try and establish their dominance from the start and Celtic have shown a susceptibility to collapse when put under pressure as shown by a 7-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in October as well as 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the Old Firm Derby earlier this year. Celtic will fancy their chances on the counter-attack but Bayern should overwhelm Brendan Rodgers’ side and progress into the Round of 16.

Bayern Munich vs Celtic Tip: Bayern Munich to win & over 2.5 goals

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