Prediction: Celtic vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Bayern to win to Nil

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Champions League reverse legs are always a chance for clubs to exact revenge on their rivals and get even for results in the previous but in case of Celtic and Bayern Munich such an assumption is not necessarily true.

Celtic

Having won only one of their previous three Champions League matches in a tough Group B, Scottish giants Celtic will play host to German giants Bayern Munich hoping for an upset that would keep their European hopes alive.

Celtic Park will host the Bavarians on Tuesday at the turning half of the group stage as Brendan Rodgers’ men are urged to put in an improved performance in front of the home support than what was the case at Allianz Arena earlier in October. The Hoops suffered a comfortable 3-0 defeat which came as quite a blow to their fine form on the domestic front. Celtic bounced back from the loss and notched back-to-back wins at Hibernian and Aberdeen before getting held by Kilmarnock to a 1-1 draw last time out. It was not exactly the best of warm up for a crucial Champions League match against Bayern Munich for Celtic who are thus far failing to extend their domestic dominance to the continental stage. Another loss will effectively end Celtic’s chances of making it into the second round and the best Hoops can hope for is a place in the Europa League.

Team News

Erik Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic and Anthony Ralston are all unavailable for the forthcoming fixture.

Bayern Munich

Veteran manager Jupp Heynkes is doing what he was brought to do in the first place. Well familiar with the surroundings and club environment, the glorified tactician steadied the ship after Carlo Ancelotti’s shipwreck and is once again on course to big things with the Bavarian giants.

Five wins in a row are as good as it gets for Bayern Munich who are once again firing from all guns in all competitions. Back-to-back triumph over rising RB Leipzig both in DFB Pokal and in Bundesliga have been a major morale boost for Germany’s best who are hoping to get another three points from their trip to Scotland and get one step closer to sealing their place in the Champions League knockouts. Bayern are currently playing catch-up with French favourites Paris Saint-Germain who boast a perfect record after three games. Midway through the group stage of the competition Bayern Munich can’t afford a single slip-up if they want to fight for the leading spot in Group B. The test in front of them will be taken quite seriously however as Jupp Heynkes is facing several high-profile absences.

Team News

Manuel Neuer remains a long-term absentee for Bayern Munich. Franck Ribery, Juan Bernat and Thomas Muller will join him in the treatment room.

In-form Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski suffered a knock in the weekend Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig and is a major doubt for the clash in Scotland.

Key Factors to Consider

• Bayern Munich are on a five-match winning run in all competitions
• Celtic managed only one win in three Champions League matches this season
• Scottish giants are without a win in all three previous matches vs Bayern
• Bavarians conceded only one goal in last five games
• Celtic lost only one of their last 11 home matches across all competitions

Conclusion

We can’t look past Bayern Munich in this clash despite Celtic’s burning desire to set the record straight after a reverse 3-0 loss. Jupp Heynkes restored confidence and winning routine back at Bayern Munich and the Bavarians are once again a force to be reckoned with, albeit without a couple of key first-team stars.

Verdict: Bayern to win to Nil

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Bet365