Bayern Munich vs Celtic Prediction - Champions League
Bayern Munich will host Celtic at the Allianz Arena on 18 February 2025 for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. With Bayern having secured a 2-1 victory in Glasgow, the German giants enter the match as favorites. Bayern’s form has been stellar, leading the Bundesliga with 17 wins and 65 goals scored this season. Despite defensive absences like Alphonso Davies and João Palhinha, their recent performances have been solid, with Harry Kane leading the charge.
Celtic, dominating the Scottish Premiership but struggling away, seeks an upset. Bayern’s home advantage and overall quality make them tough opponents. Nonetheless, Celtic’s top scorer Daizen Maeda and solid defensive record could see them put up a fight. We recommend a bet on Celtic +2.50 (AH) as Bayern is favored to win but a close match is expected.
Bayern Munich vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tip
| Bayern Munich vs. Celtic Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Celtic +2.50 (AH) | 1.81 |
- Bayern Munich are expected to win, making Celtic +2.50 (AH) a safe choice given their potential to stay close in the match.
- Celtic have a solid defensive record with three clean sheets in their last five games.
- With Daizen Maeda in good scoring form, Celtic are unlikely to be completely shut out.
Bayern Munich vs Celtic Odds
| Bayern Munich vs. Celtic Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Bayern Munich | 1.15 |
| Draw | 8.61 |
| Celtic | 15.46 |
Bayern Munich are the clear favourites, with bookmakers offering odds of 1.15 for a home win. Celtic, despite a determined effort, are long shots at 15.46 for a win. For those expecting a tighter contest, the odds for a draw stand at 8.61.
Given Bayern’s home form and their 2-1 win in the first leg, Celtic face a challenging task ahead. However, with both teams showing good scoring ability recently, surprises may still be in store.
Bayern Munich Team Analysis
Bayern Munich has showcased an impressive run of form recently. Let’s look at their last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen | Bayern Munich | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Celtic | Bayern Munich | 1-2 (Win) |
| Bayern Munich | Werder Bremen | 3-0 (Win) |
| Bayern Munich | Holstein Kiel | 4-3 (Win) |
| Bayern Munich | Slovan Bratislava | 3-1 (Win) |
Bayern Munich has scored an average of 2.40 goals in their last five matches and kept 2 clean sheets. Their offense is sharp with Harry Kane leading the charge, having scored in their recent Champions League fixtures. However, their defense has room for improvement, evident from the 4 goals conceded in a single match against Holstein Kiel.
With a home advantage at Allianz Arena, clear skies, and a chilly -1°C, Bayern is well-placed to deliver another solid performance.
Bayern Munich Key Players
Bayern Munich’s recent run indicates a better performance, with several key players to watch in this match. Harry Kane, who tops the scoring charts for Bayern, will be crucial, especially after his goals in recent fixtures. Michael Olise’s ability to link midfield with attack has also been a standout feature. Expected lineup for Bayern Munich:
- Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
- Defenders: Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Min-Jae Kim, Hiroki Ito
- Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman
- Striker: Harry Kane
Key individual battles include Kane versus Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers, which will be pivotal in determining the game’s outcome.
Bayern Munich Suspensions & Injuries
Bayern Munich will go into the match without some key players due to injuries.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Peretz | Abdominal injury | Early March 2025 |
| Alphonso Davies | Hamstring injury | About a week |
| João Palhinha | Illness | A few days |
Losing Alphonso Davies is a significant blow to Bayern’s defensive options, as he has been crucial on the left flank. João Palhinha’s absence leaves a gap in midfield, though his return is expected soon.
These injuries could impact Bayern’s depth and flexibility, especially in a high-stakes Champions League match. However, Bayern’s squad depth may help them compensate for these losses.
Bayern Munich Tactics and Formation
Bayern Munich Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Harry Kane
- Midfield Core: Joshua Kimmich, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala
- Defensive Line: Featuring Manuel Neuer in goal, supported by defenders Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Min-Jae Kim, and Hiroki Ito
- Defensive Strength: Bayern have kept two clean sheets in their last five games
- Attacking Prowess: Averaging 2.40 goals per game over the last five matches
- Strategic Focus: Bayern typically aim to control possession and apply constant pressure, especially exploiting rapid transitions through Kimmich and Musiala.
In summary, Bayern’s blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair, especially at home, makes them formidable opponents.
Celtic Team Analysis
Recent Form: WLWWW Celtic’s recent form is quite commendable, with 4 wins in their last 5 matches. Here’s a quick look at their latest results:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | Dundee United | 3-0 (Win) |
| Celtic | Bayern Munich | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Celtic | Raith Rovers | 5-0 (Win) |
| Celtic | Dundee FC | 6-0 (Win) |
| Motherwell | Celtic | 1-3 (Win) |
Celtic are averaging a remarkable 3.60 goals per game, demonstrating their potent attack led by Daizen Maeda and other key forwards. They have also managed to keep 3 clean sheets in those last 5 games, showcasing their balanced approach and resilient defence. Despite an average of conceding 1.8 goals in their league matches, their recent bright performances make them a team to watch.
Celtic Key Players
Expected lineup for Celtic:
- Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel
- Defenders: Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Jeffrey Schlupp
- Midfielders: Callum McGregor, Luke McCowan, Reo Hatate
- Attackers: Hyun-Jun Yang, Adam Idah, Jota
Daizen Maeda, who is Celtic’s top scorer in this tournament with 4 goals, will be the main threat up front. Adam Idah and Jota are also key players to watch in attack. Their interplay with Maeda could cause problems for Bayern Munich’s defense. Midfield dynamo Callum McGregor will be crucial in maintaining balance and dictating the tempo for Celtic. In defense, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kasper Schmeichel will have their hands full containing Bayern’s Harry Kane. This matchup will be pivotal.
Celtic Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| James Forrest | Foot injury | Late February 2025 |
| Paulo Bernardo | Ankle injury | Mid March 2025 |
Currently, Celtic are dealing with two significant injuries which could impact their squad depth and selection. James Forrest, who is recovering from a foot injury, is expected to return by late February 2025, while Paulo Bernardo is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected back until mid-March 2025.
These absences might disrupt Celtic’s rotation and limit their attacking options. Forrest’s creativity on the wings and Bernardo’s presence in midfield will be missed. The team may need to rely on their depth to compensate for these losses in their upcoming matches.
Celtic Tactics and Formation
Celtic’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Daizen Maeda
- Midfield Trio: Callum McGregor, Luke McCowan, Reo Hatate
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions in attack.
Celtic have been consistent with a 4-3-3 formation in their recent matches. The front trio, featuring Maeda, Yang, and Idah, will spearhead the attack, aiming to exploit any weaknesses in Bayern Munich’s defense. Their midfield trio, led by captain Callum McGregor, will focus on controlling possession and providing defensive cover. Defensively, the backline anchored by Carter-Vickers has shown resilience, keeping three clean sheets in their last five games. Expect Celtic to press high and transition quickly, aiming to catch Bayern off guard.
Bayern Munich vs Celtic Head-to-Head Statistics
Let’s take a look at the recent head-to-head encounters between Bayern Munich and Celtic. The last five meetings have seen Bayern Munich dominate the fixture:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | Bayern Munich | 1-2 |
| Celtic | Bayern Munich | 1-2 |
| Bayern Munich | Celtic | 3-0 |
| Celtic | Bayern Munich | 0-0 |
| Bayern Munich | Celtic | 2-1 |
Bayern Munich have consistently had the upper hand, winning four out of the last five matches. Celtic managed a draw once, showing they can pose a challenge despite being the underdog. This pattern suggests Bayern Munich’s strength and tactical superiority in previous encounters.
