Celtic vs Bayern Munich predictions: Bhoys could frustrate German giants
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- Celtic have yet to taste defeat in 21 home matches this season
- Bayern have won only one of their last seven Champions League away games
- Recommended bet: Celtic or draw double chance
Despite winning four of their final five matches in the league phase of the Champions League, Bayern have had to settle for a place in the play-offs and the German giants will be hoping to stamp their authority on their first-leg trip to Celtic.
Celtic did enough to finish in the top 24 despite losing 4-2 at Aston Villa on Matchday Eight and this will be the third Bundesliga side that they have faced in this season’s competition.
The Bhoys were blown away 7-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday Two but they did get the better of RB Leipzig on Matchday Four, recording a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.
Celtic will hope to jump on the fact that Bayern lost three of their four away games in the league phase, going down on trips to Aston Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord.
Brendan Rodgers’s side have collected 10 points from four Champions League home games this season and a hostile atmosphere in Glasgow will make life difficult for Bayern.
Team news
Celtic must do without the services of the suspended Daizen Maeda after his straight red card against Young Boys in January. Jota is lacking match fitness while Paulo Bernardo is set to join James Forrest on the sidelines.
For Bayern, Alphonso Davies remains out with a hamstring issue while Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are both doubts after missing Bayern's 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday through illness.
The stats
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Celtic have lost just one of their last six Champions League matches.
Celtic have won their last eight home matches, with seven of those victories coming to nil.
Bayern have won only one of their last seven away games in the Champions League, losing three of their four road trips in this season’s competition.
Bayern Munich's last seven matches in all competitions have gone over 2.5 goals.
Bayern managed just two clean sheets from eight games in the league phase.
Prediction
Bayern arrive at Celtic Park as a warm order but they may be frustrated in Glasgow, where they will be welcomed by a hostile atmosphere and where Celtic remain unbeaten this season.
The Bundesliga leaders have lost three of their four away games in this season’s Champions League, which includes a 4-1 beating at Barcelona and a 3-0 crushing at Feyenoord.
Bayern also limped to a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and if Celtic defend deep and resolutely, the German giant may struggle to create clear-cut opportunities.
The Bhoys have beaten Leipzig 3-1 at home in this season’s Champions League while they have also kept three clean sheets, which includes a goalless draw at Atalanta.
Celtic have seen three of their last four European matches stay under 2.5 goals and there is a strong possibility of them frustrate Bayern by picking up a positive result.
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