Celtic vs Manchester City
UEFA Champions League – Group C
Date: Wednesday, 28th September, 2016
Kick-off: 19:45 UK.
Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow.
Celtic and Manchester City meet in the Champions League 2016-17 group stage on Wednesday.
Brendan Rodger's side was humbled in Spain, losing 7-0 in its opening UCL match.
"It was a difficult night for us and that 24 hours afterwards, it's disappointing and a very humbling experience when that happens to you," said the coach of his team, which is just a few years removed of making Barcelona sweat a win in a similar stage of the tournament.
But this year's side was dismantled by the defending Spanish champs.
The task unfortunately does not get any easier as the team plays host to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side won 4-0 in its first game with three goals coming from another Argentine - Sergio Aguero. Aguero was dominant, as he has been all season for his club.
Celtic will look to avoid more embarrassment, but the task could prove more difficult against a side that has looked great to start the season.
Prediction
Manchester City is the favorite here and will find a way to win, even if Celtic proves resilient and determine to avoid embarrassment. The score will be 5-1 in Manchester City's favor.
Start Time, Date, Location
Key Facts
Celtic currently maintains 3 games unbeaten run. The hoops currently enjoy 7 consecutive win in their last 7 home games in all competition.
Manchester city maintains 10 games unbeaten run. The blues also enjoy 5 consecutive win in 5 their last 5 away games in all competition.
Celtic: Team News
Brendan Rodgers will be without the services of Scottish Midfielder “Mackay-Steven” due to ankle injury. However, Jozo Simunovic will also be making is Champions league appearance after a long lay injury lay off.
Celtic: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
De Vries: Lustig, Simunovic, Sviatchenko, Tierney: Brown, Bitton- Sinclair, Rogic, Forrest: Dembele
Manchester City Team News
Pep will be without the service of Vincent Kompany, and Kevin De Bruyne. Both Belgians are nursing a muscle injury and will be unavailable for the team visit to Scotland.
Manchester City: Predicted Line-Up (4-1-4-1)
Bravo: Kolarov, Otamendi, Stones, Sagna: Fernandinho- Navas, Silva, Gundogan, Sterling: Aguero
Celtic vs Manchester City: Head to Head
Both side meet for a pre-season game in 2009. Manchester city won the clash with a 2-1 score line. Aside this, Celtic and Manchester city have not met in any competitive game.
Moreover, Celtic have European competition record with English side compared to Manchester city. Celtic has won 4 of their last 7 encounter with an English team in Europe. While Manchester encounter with Celtic on Wednesday will be their first competitive meeting with a Scottish club.
Celtic vs Manchester City: Prediction
Looking at both side form going into this encounter, it will be okay to say the blue will nick this one. However, Celtic is in search of redemption after their shameful show in Spain. Therefore, expect them to put up a much better fight on Wednesday’s Champion League fixtures against the Citizens.
However, I see both teams getting on the score sheet at least once. Also expect an electrifying start to the match and we can expect 2 goals inside the first 45 minutes itself.
Celtic vs Manchester City: Tips
Over 1.5 goals in First Half at 2.20 (6/5)
Handicap Result Celtic +2 goals at 1.83 (5/6).