Celticvs.Bayern

Manager Vincent Kompany did not feel the need to rotate heavily ahead of this playoff tie, naming a strong XI in the 3-0 win over Bremen on Saturday, and a very similar side is set to take to the field at Celtic Park.

The only places up for grabs are at full-back, and with Alphonso Davies struggling with a hamstring injury, Raphael Guerreiro is set to start again at left-back, while Konrad Laimer and Sacha Boey will battle for a spot on the right.

Leroy Sane netted off the bench at the weekend, but it is unlikely he will be able to usurp either Michael Olise or Kingsley Coman out wide.

Along with Sven Ulreich, Coman is the only player left at the club from the XI that started at Celtic Park in a 2-1 win in 2017, with the French winger among the scorers that night.

Coman will flank Harry Kane, who will make his second return to the British Isles this season, hoping for better fortunes this time around after losing at Aston Villa in the league phase.

Kane's sensational form has continued, with back-to-back Bundesliga braces taking his tally for the season to 28 goals in 28 games, but he has still come in for some criticism for not performing in the big Champions League games this season.

Elsewhere on the injury list, Hiroki Ito is still yet to make his debut for the club after joining from Stuttgart last summer, while Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are both doubtful due to illness.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Coman, Musiala, Olise; Kane

Written by

Andrew Delaney