Celtic will take on Utrecht on Thursday, 29 January, as part of the final round of Europa League league phase fixtures.
After a rollercoaster of a campaign, the hosts know that a win would secure their place in the playoff round. However, anything less than that, and their European campaign is almost certainly over.
As part of this week's round of Europa League betting tips, check out our Celtic vs Utretcht prediction below.
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Celtic vs Utrecht prediction: The hosts to walk away with the win
Key Stats
- Celtic are unbeaten since Martin O'Neill returned for a second time this season.
- Utrecht have lost their last five matches in all competitions.
- A total of 15 goals have been scored across Celtic's last five matches (average of three goals per game)
Correct score prediction: Celtic 3-1 Utrecht
Celtic should use the energy that Parkhead will give them on Thursday night, and the fact they are facing a team with nothing to play for should make their task of winning that little bit easier.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Celtic start as favourites
- HOME: 1/3 (1.33) – 75%
- DRAW: 7/4 (2.75) 36.4%
- AWAY: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Celtic vs Utrecht odds suggest that the hosts should have no problem brushing the visitors aside on Thursday night. Ladbrokes have given Celtic a 75% chance of winning the match, while Utrecht have been given a 12.5% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in 15 years
This will be the first time that Celtic and Utrecht have come up against each other since the Europa League playoff round in 2010. Back then, Celtic won the first leg 2-0 before being blown away 4-0 in the Netherlands
Celtic preview: Tierney a doubt
Kieran Tierney is the latest Celtic player to go down with an injury, and the former Arsenal man is considered a doubt for this fixture after his premature exit at the weekend. Elsewhere, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho, Marcelo Saracchi, Callum Osman, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are all still injured.
Predicted lineup: Schmeichel (GK), Donovan, Trusty, Murray, Scales, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Hyun-Jun, Maeda, Tounekti
Last five results
- Celtic 2-2 Hearts
- Bologna 2-2 Celtic
- Auchinleck 0-2 Celtic
- Falkirk 0-1 Celtic
- Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd
Utrecht preview: Expect rotation
Utrecht have picked up just one point in the Europa League so far, and with their European campaign already over, there will be a temptation to rest key personnel. On the injury front, the Dutch side are without Victor Jensen, David Min, Mike Eerdhuijze and Emirhan Demircan.
Predicted lineup: Barkas (GK), Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani, Engwanda, Bozdogan, Cathline, De Wit, Blake, Rodriguez
Last five results
- Utrecht 0-1 Sparta Rotterdam
- Utrecht 0-2 Genk
- FC Volendam 2-1 Utrecht
- Utrecht 1-2 FC Twente
- Utrecht 1-2 PSV
Player to watch: Callum McGregor
On huge nights such as this one, you need your most experienced players to stand up and be counted and as far as Celtic are concerned, there is nobody more experienced than their captain, Callum McGregor. The 32-year-old isn't the force he once was in the middle of the park, but in a do-or-die situation like this, you would absolutely want him on your team.