Celtic vs Feyenoord predictions: More European woe for Scottish champions

Jack Ogalbe
Spotlight
Brendan Rodgers' Celtic have endured a tough Champions League campaign
Brendan Rodgers' Celtic have endured a tough Champions League campaign

- Celtic have failed to win a game in this season's Champions League
- Feyenoord won September's reverse game 2-0
- Recommended bet: Back Feyenoord to win and both teams to score

Celtic and Feyenoord meet in their final Champions League Group E fixture on Wednesday, with both looking to conclude their underwhelming campaigns in style.

The Bhoys were beaten 2-1 by Kilmarnock on Sunday, the second time they have lost at Rugby Park this season. 

Brendan Rodgers' side clearly do not agree with Killie's artificial pitch but have arguably also been inadequate when playing on grass in this season's Champions League.

Bottom of Group E after a draw and four defeats, they will not be in continental action after Christmas and the pool is set, with Atletico Madrid and Lazio meeting at the Metropolitano to discuss top spot, while Europa League-bound Feyenoord head to Parkhead.

The Dutch champions blew Celtic away in September's Group E opener. Arne Slot's side won 2-0 but were almost dismissive of the Bhoys, missing a penalty and dominating throughout as their visitors saw both Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Holm sent off.

De club aan de Maas have failed to kick on both domestically and in Europe but their dominance in the original game in Rotterdam suggests they can strike again.  

Team news

Celtic are set to be without Liel Abada (thigh), Daizen Maeda (knee), Reo Hatate and James McCarthy (both muscle) through injury.

Meanwhile, Quilindschy Hartman (concussion) and Bart Nieuwkoop (hamstring) miss out for Feyenoord.

The stats

Celtic have not won a Champions League group game since defeating Anderlecht 3-0 away in 2017, with their last home win in the group stages coming against Ajax in October 2013.

The Bhoys have lost just once at home this season. That came in the Champions League as they went down 2-1 to Lazio courtesy of Pedro's stoppage time winner.

Feyenoord ended a two-game losing streak with Thursday's 3-1 win over Volendam and won their last away game, 4-2, at local rivals Excelsior.

Slot's side have lost away to Atletico and Lazio in the Champions League, both by single goal margins.

They have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine matches, while Celtic have scored in their last eight at home.

Prediction

Arne Slot will be looking for Feyenoord to conclude their Champions League campaign with a win
Arne Slot will be looking for Feyenoord to conclude their Champions League campaign with a win

It might be a dead rubber but Rodgers insists he will not be treating the game as such, demanding a "complete performance" from his team.

Celtic have shown signs of spirit in their home game against Lazio and Atletico Madrid but failed to get the job done and it could be a similar situation on Wednesday.

Feyenoord's title defence might be straddling the gutter due to their 10-point deficit to PSV Eindhoven. It's also true that they have struggled on the road in the Champions League, with their last victory coming against Newcastle in September 2002, albeit this is their first season in the competition for six years. 

However, they have lost just once on the road in the Eredivisie this term and will feel they have nothing to lose on Wednesday against a Celtic side whose fans will feel they are owed a performance.

Parkhead faithful will be rocking in a similar style to how the De Kuip crowd inspired their side on the opening matchday but Feyenoord's superiority that night suggests they will have too much again.

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Tags

Champions LeagueCelticFeyenoord