Celtic vs Utrecht: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction | OneFootball

Scottish giants Celtic take on FC Utrecht in their final UEFA Europa League league-phase fixture at Celtic Park on Thursday evening.

Celtic played out a 2-2 draw at Bologna last Thursday, keeping them in 24th place — the final play-off spot.

Utrecht lost 2-0 at home to KRC Genk, maintaining their winless run in the competition.

Match preview

Celtic head into this fixture aiming to seal their play-off spot, as a defeat could lead to elimination.

The Hoops followed up the stalemate against Bologna with another 2-2 draw with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday.

Celtic have lost two Europa League home games this season, scoring twice and conceding four.

However, under manager Martin O’Neill, who is in charge for the second time this season, they have remained unbeaten at Celtic Park in all competitions.

Utrecht have already been eliminated having collected just one point in seven games — the joint-fewest in the competition. They have scored three goals and conceded 11.

The Dutch side have yet to collect a point on the road in the competition and will face a difficult task in overturning that record at Celtic.

Utrecht have met Celtic twice in the Europa League, both during the 2010/11 play-offs, losing 2-0 in the first leg before winning 4-0 in the return fixture.

Team news

The hosts will miss Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi through injury. Reo Hatate is suspended.

Meanwhile, Celtic have been handed a double injury boost following the return of Kieran Tierney and Marcelo Saracchi to training.

Victor Jensen, Mike Eerdhuijzen, David Min and Emirhan Demircan are all ruled out for the visitors.

Predicted line-ups

Celtic (4-3-3): Kasper Schmeichel, Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Colby Donovan, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, ,Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti, Yang Hyun-Jun, Daizen Maeda.

Utrecht (4-3-3): Vasilios Barkas, Siebe Horemans, Matisse Didden, Nick Viergever, Souffian El Karouani, Alonzo Engwanda,Can Bozdogan, Dani de Wit, Yoann Cathline, Sebastian Haller, Miguel Rodriguez.

Prediction

We predict a 2-0 win for Celtic.

Stats from uefa.com & whoscored.com