Bayernvs.Celtic

Harry Kane and Michael Olise gave Bayern a two-goal advantage at Celtic Park last Wednesday but Celtic's Daizen Maeda halved the scoreline with just over 10 minutes remaining to give the Scottish champions a glimmer of hope.

Match preview

The hosts were arguably fortunate to have taken a lead heading into the second leg considering they only produced six attempts from inside the penalty area and 0.7 xG, less than Celtic's figures of eight shots from inside the box and 1.37 xG.

Bayern also rode their luck during their 0-0 draw with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, with Xabi Alonso's side limiting the Bavarians to two shots and no efforts on target, while Leverkusen hit the woodwork twice and squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal.

However, boss Vincent Kompany will argue that his team's performance did not matter given they are currently eight points ahead of second-placed Leverkusen.

Kompany could also point to the fact his side have scored three or more goals in eight of their past 14 in all competitions, and their record of 65 goals scored in the league is the most in the top flight.

The Bavarians' draw on the weekend was the first time they did not win in six matches and was only the second time they have not achieved victory in 11 outings.

Bayern will feel confident of progressing given they are unbeaten at home in the Champions League in 20 games, drawing on just four occasions in that time.

Meanwhile, Celtic posed a significant threat during the first leg - particularly during counter-attacks - and they could have taken the lead after 30 seconds but Adam Idah was adjudged to have obscured Manuel Neuer's view of Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn's long-range strike from an offside position.

The Bhoys have had five meetings with Bayern in their history, with the Scottish team failing to win any clash, losing four and drawing one.

Manager Brendan Rodgers's side have 69 points in the Scottish Premiership and are 13 points ahead of second-placed Rangers.

The visitors' defeat against Bayern is the only match in their last five outings that they failed to score at least three goals in, with the club beating Dundee United 3-0 on Saturday in the top flight.

Rodgers's team have triumphed in nine of their 12 most recent games, though their two defeats in that period came in the Champions League against Aston Villa on January 29 and against Tuesday's hosts.

Celtic have also only won twice in their past seven away matches - losing two and drawing three - and are winless in 12 on the road in the Champions League having lost eight and drawn four in that period.

Bayern Munich Champions League form:

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Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

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Celtic Champions League form:

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Celtic form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bayern come into the clash with an almost entirely fit squad, and left-back Alphonso Davies and second-choice goalkeeper Daniel Peretz are their only confirmed absentees.

Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae are likely to start in central defence flanked by full-backs Raphael Guerreiro and Josip Stanisic.

Kane is certain to lead the German team's forward line, and he may be supported by attackers Olise, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman.

As for Celtic, they will be without winger James Forrest until late February due to a foot injury, while midfielder Paulo Bernardo is not scheduled to make his comeback from an ankle issue until the middle of March.

With his side a goal down, perhaps Rodgers will look to start Jota in a front three alongside Idah and Maeda.

Elsewhere, the visitors may start Callum McGregor at the base of midfield, while Arne Engels and Reo Hatate could be positioned as number eights.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeicehl; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, Engels; Maeda, Idah, Jota

We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Celtic

Though Bayern have been somewhat weaker offensively in their past two games, their home record is phenomenal and they should be considered strong favourites.

Written by

Lewis Nolan

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