FK Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Celtic face FK Crvena Zvezda head-to-head in the Europa League on Wednesday. Both sides will be searching for a positive start to the tournament, in an intriguing fixture.

FK Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic – Match preview and team news

FK Crvena Zvezda team news

Crvena Zvezda could hand a start to veteran striker Marko Arnautović, who has regained form after missing the final stages of Champions League qualifying. The Serbian champions have been in devastating form domestically, winning all seven SuperLiga matches with 30 goals scored and only five conceded.

Star midfielder Aleksandar Katai has been sensational this season, netting 11 goals in just seven league appearances. The 34-year-old former LA Galaxy player will be key to their attacking threat alongside prolific forward Mirko Ivanić, who has contributed five goals in five matches. However, Red Star will be without midfielder Rade Krunic, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury. The Bosnia international has not played since late August and remains sidelined for Wednesday’s clash.

Celtic team news

Celtic are dealing with a significant injury crisis in defence, with Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston unavailable. Ralston and Trusty are expected to return to full training next week, while Johnston faces around three months out with a hamstring injury suffered in the Champions League play-offs. Long-term absentee Jota remains sidelined with an ACL injury sustained in April.

The Portuguese winger’s absence continues to impact Celtic’s attacking options on the flanks. New signing Kelechi Iheanacho could make his European debut after impressing domestically. The former Leicester striker scored a late penalty on his debut against Kilmarnock and offers Brendan Rodgers a different attacking dimension.

Form

FK Crvena Zvezda

Vladan Milojevic’s side have been in exceptional form, extending their perfect league record with a crucial 2-1 victory over rivals Partizan Belgrade at the weekend. The Red Star have scored an incredible 14 goals in their last three matches, demonstrating devastating attacking power. Their domestic dominance has been comprehensive, sitting top of the Serbian SuperLiga with a perfect record of seven wins from seven matches. Despite their Champions League disappointment against Pafos, Red Star have responded emphatically in domestic competition.

Celtic

Celtic’s season has been overshadowed by their shocking Champions League exit to Kazakhstani side Kairat Almaty. The Bhoys failed to score across 210 minutes before losing 3-2 on penalties, which has clearly affected confidence.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ men remain unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership with four wins and one draw from five matches. They bounced back from their European disappointment with a convincing 4-0 victory over Partick Thistle in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Predicted Lineups

Red Star Belgrade: Matheus; Seol, Lekovic, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan; Kostov, Elsnik, Handel, Ivanic; Katai, Arnautovic.

Celtic: Schmeichel; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Balikwisha, Iheanacho, Maeda.

How to Watch FK Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic?

UK fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports 2.

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