Preview: Celtic vs. Shakhtar Donetsk - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts come into this one on the back of a thrilling win away to Hearts, while the visitors enter the fray following a comfortable triumph over Kolos Kivalivka.

Match preview

Celtic have made a strong start to proceedings domestically in 2022-23, sitting four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with 11 matches completed.

Ange Postecoglou's side have once again demonstrated their offensive quality in Scotland, comfortably ranking as the highest-scoring side in the league with 39 efforts netted.

In their last outing, they secured a dramatic 4-3 victory at Tynecastle against a dogged Hearts outfit courtesy of goals from James Forrest, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and Greg Taylor.

Regarding the Champions League, Celtic have not fared so well despite some encouraging performances and occupy fourth in Group F with a solitary point, which was gained away to Shakhtar Donetsk following a 1-1 draw on matchday two.

The Hoops need to defeat Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday in Glasgow to stand any chance of securing qualification to the Europa League knockout rounds.

Should Celtic win, it would be their first triumph on home soil in the Champions League group phase since the 2013-14 season against Ajax.

Shakhtar Donetsk travel to Celtic Park unbeaten in three matches and look to have made a strong start to the season both in the Ukrainian Premier League and Champions League.

They sit second in the Ukrainian Premier League under Igor Jovicevic, having garnered 19 points from seven fixtures and have a game in hand on league leaders Dnipro-1.

In Group F, Shakhtar Donetsk have produced some impressive battling displays, including a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on matchday one and a 1-1 draw at home to competition holders Real Madrid on matchday four.

Factoring in their 1-1 draw to Celtic at home in the reverse figure, Shakhtar Donetsk have gained five points in total so far and could overtake RB Leipzig in the group to move into second with a win on Scottish soil.

Manager Jovicevic will be desperate for his side to take a major step toward the knockout phase of the Champions League with a win at Celtic Park on Tuesday.

Celtic Champions League form:

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D

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L

Celtic form (all competitions):

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W

L

W

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W

Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League form:

W

D

L

D

Shakhtar Donetsk form (all competitions):

D

W

L

D

W

W

Team News

Celtic will be without captain Callum McGregor for the match on Tuesday owing to a long-term knee injury that will keep him out for several more weeks.

Carl Starfelt will also not partake due to a knee issue picked up in the 4-0 derby victory against Rangers in early September.

Jota and David Turnbull could be involved in the matchday squad despite missing several matches because of injury.

For the visitors, former Celt Marian Shved, defender Yukhym Konoplya and midfielder Oleg Ocheretko are doubtful for the matchday five clash.

Victor Kornienko will also not be available for Shakhtar Donetsk because of a cruciate ligament rupture.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor; O'Riley, Mooy, Hatate; Haksabanovic, Abada, Furuhashi

Shakhtar Donetsk possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Taylor, Bondar, Kryvtsov, Mykhaylichenko; Stepanenko; Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Traore

We say: Celtic 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

In a game that could have significant permutations for Group F, we expect both sides to put on an entertaining spectacle and create plenty of opportunities.

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