Prediction: Feyenoord vs Celtic

Verdict: Feyenoord win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Opening their Champions League adventure on Tuesday night, Celtic will travel to the De Kuip when they meet Dutch giants Feyenoord.

Feyenoord

Starting with the hosts, while Feyenoord might have been disappointed after opening the 2023/24 campaign with back-to-back stalemates, Arne Slot’s side have certainly come roaring back. Making real Eredivisie history last season and gaining a string of plaudits as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2017, the Rotterdam-based outfit are certainly excited to mark their return to Europe’s elite. Marking their return from September’s international break with another thumping performance over the weekend as they cruised their way to a 6-1 romp at home against Heerenveen, Slot’s high-flying squad have won each of their previous three Eredivisie appearances. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 5-1 victory away at Utrecht on September 3rd, Feyenoord have certainly gained a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. It is worth noting, Tuesday’s hosts have notched a staggering 17 strikes on their three-match winning run.

Team News

Sustaining a wrist injury last month, Feyenoord will be without 25-year-old goalkeeper Justin Bijilow on Tuesday night. Likewise, the reigning Dutch champions are also sweating over the fitness of Japanese forward Ayase Ueda in midweek.

Once again finding the net over the weekend and already notching six domestic strikes, the red-hot Santiago Tomas Gimenez will spearhead Slot’s attack here. Former Nice star Calvin Stengs will join Gimenez in the final third.

Celtic

As for the visitors, although Celtic might have suffered a stunning League Cup exit at the hands of Kilmarnock back on August 20th, it appears that was nothing more than a minor blip for the Scottish heavyweights. Marking their return from September’s international break with a thumping display on home soil over the weekend, Brendan Rodgers’ side stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against Dundee. Tipped as a landslide contender to once against defend their domestic crown, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad muster 13 points from their opening five Premiership appearances. Opening proceedings on August 5th with an action-packed 4-2 win against Ross County, the Hoops have shown their own clinical edge in the final third. Including a 3-1 win away at Aberdeen last month, Rodgers’ men have bagged 11 strikes in their opening five domestic showdowns.

Team News

All missing out over the weekend, Celtic will travel to Holland without the likes of Stephen Welsh, Mark Nawrocki, Liel Abada and one-time Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Once again finding the net against Dundee a few days ago and already notching four strikes in his opening five Premiership appearances, Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi will spearhead Rodgers’ charge here. Making a season-long loan switch from Liverpool this summer, 26-year-old Nathaniel Phillips will start at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 6-1 romp against Heerenveen over the weekend, Feyenoord have won each of their previous three domestic appearances.
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have notched a remarkable 17 strikes on their three-match winning run.
• Celtic have failed to win any of their last nine straight Champions League showdowns – a run that stems back to August 2020.
• On a similar note, the Hoops have recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous six competitive appearances outside of Glasgow.
• Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi has notched four strikes in his opening five Premiership appearances this season.

Conclusion

While Celtic might have marked their return from the international break with a routine 3-0 victory against Dundee, Rodgers’ men will know that they face a huge challenge here. With Feyenoord only continuing on a remarkable free-scoring romp, the reigning Dutch champions will be smelling the chance to lay down an early marker on Tuesday night. Winning each of their previous three Eredivisie appearances and notching 17 strikes, the Rotterdam-based outfit will be looking to cash in on a Celtic side that have failed to muster a single win from any of their last nine Champions League showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to August 2020.

Verdict: Feyenoord win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster