Scottish Premiership champions Celtic might have already seen their Champions League hopes dashed, however the Previous Agency outfit nonetheless have a lot to play for tonight as they put together to tackle Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead.
Title-winning coach Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged heading into the match that it’s merely a “must-win” recreation for his facet, with the Hoops nonetheless having an outdoor likelihood of securing a spot within the Europa League within the New 12 months.
With 4 factors separating the Glasgow giants and their upcoming opponents, it’s now win or bust for the hosts tonight, with something apart from three factors seeing them end backside of the group.
The omens are arguably in opposition to the Bhoys, although, having misplaced every of their final seven house video games within the competitors, as they give the impression of being to keep away from changing into the primary staff within the event’s historical past to lose eight in a row on their very own patch.
Forward of that important assembly, right here’s how Soccer FanCast predicts that the house facet will line up…
Postecoglou has revealed that he’ll as soon as once more be with out Carl Starfelt and Jota as a consequence of harm, regardless of the pair edging nearer to a return, though midfielder David Turnbull is seemingly again in competition.
With that in thoughts, we predict that there will probably be 4 modifications from the facet which edged previous Hearts on the weekend, with one notable alteration set to see Saturday’s match-winning hero Greg Taylor slot in forward of Alexandro Bernabei, with the latter having struggled at Tynecastle.
On the opposite flank, Josip Juranovic will seemingly reclaim his place forward of Anthony Ralston, whereas the continued absence of the aforementioned Starfelt ought to see Moritz Jenz companion Cameron Carter-Vickers at centre-back, regardless of the pair having each given away penalties in opposition to the Jambos.
The midfield trio will seemingly keep the identical as skipper Callum McGregor stays on the remedy desk, whereas in-form hero James Forrest – who has 4 objectives in his final two league video games – ought to hold his place on the best flank.
Additional tactical tweaks might nicely be made within the ahead line. Regular starter Kyogo Furuhashi is ready to exchange Giorgos Giakoumakis by the center regardless of the Greece worldwide having netted 4 objectives in his final three top-flight outings, whereas summer season signing Sead Haksabanovic might additionally return on the left flank.
The “harmful” asset, as described by journalist Sean Martin, had impressed together with his cameo look when the 2 groups met in Warsaw final month, having seemed “very energetic” in accordance with journalist Josh Bunting.
