Feyenoord vs Celtic – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Feyenoord and Celtic, two sides desperately searching for a turnaround in the UEFA Europa League, will lock horns at De Kuip on Thursday evening.

Both teams find themselves struggling near the bottom of the group standings with just a handful of matches remaining to secure their place in the knockout rounds.

The hosts are currently positioned 29th in the Europa League Phase standings, with only three points from four matches, while the visitors sit 27th with four points from their opening four fixtures. This clash represents a crucial opportunity for both sides to reignite their European campaigns and climb out of the danger zone.

Feyenoord vs Celtic – Match preview and team news

Feyenoord team news

Feyenoord will be without a significant number of players through injury as Robin van Persie’s side continues to battle adversity. The Dutch club will be missing Jordan Bos, Justin Bijlow, Gernot Trauner, Givairo Read, Malcolm Jeng, Thomas Beelen, In-Beom Hwang, Jakub Moder and Cyle Larin. Trauner and Ueda represent particularly significant losses for the Rotterdam-based outfit, with the centre-back dealing with Achilles tendon problems.

Despite their troubles, Feyenoord can still call upon their impressive front four of Anis Hadj Moussa, Sam Steijn, Leo Sauer and Ayase Ueda, who have been extremely productive in the Eredivisie this season. Japanese international Ueda has been in exceptional form domestically, scoring 13 goals in as many league matches, and Van Persie will be hoping his attacking prowess can translate to European competition against Celtic.

Celtic team news

Celtic will also be without several key personnel as interim manager Martin O’Neill prepares his squad for the trip to Rotterdam. The Bhoys will be missing Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.

The absence of Carter-Vickers is particularly notable, with the American international having undergone surgery on an Achilles injury sustained during matchday three against Sturm Graz. According to O’Neill’s latest update, Carter-Vickers is not expected to return until April.

With Iheanacho ruled out for “a few more weeks” due to his ongoing hamstring injury, Celtic will likely rely on Daizen Maeda and Sebastian Tounekti to lead the attacking charge.

Callum McGregor is expected to retain his place in the midfield alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels, having recently fired home a dramatic 95th-minute winner against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Form

Feyenoord

Robin van Persie’s side have endured a shocking run of results, losing their last three consecutive matches across all competitions and dropping points in four of their last five outings.

Most recently, Feyenoord suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat at home to NEC Nijmegen on the weekend. This represents their second home loss in their last three fixtures, a concerning trend for a team that should be competitive at De Kuip.

Celtic

In stark contrast, Celtic have demonstrated a remarkable turnaround since Martin O’Neill’s return to the helm. The Scottish champions have won four of their last five matches, including a dramatic 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup, booking their place in the final. Their only blemish in recent weeks came courtesy of a 3-1 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League on matchday four.

Domestically, Celtic have secured back-to-back league wins with clean sheets, marking their first time recording consecutive shutouts since mid-August.

They currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership, trailing Hearts by four points but with a game in hand. On their travels in European competition, however, Celtic have struggled, losing three of their last four away matches and conceding two or more goals in each of those defeats. Nonetheless, their recent domestic improvement has provided genuine optimism around Celtic Park.

Predicted lineups

Feyenoord: Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Smal; Valente, Timber; Moussa, Steijn, Sauer; Ueda.

Celtic: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

How to watch Feyenoord vs Celtic?

Supporters in the United Kingdom can catch this fixture on Sky Sports, with comprehensive coverage available throughout. DAZN also holds exclusive rights to all Europa League matches and will stream the fixture live on their platform.

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