Europa League Qualifier Preview: Utrecht - Celtic

Both sides in good form

Neil Lennon’s new-look Celtic travel to the Stadion Galgenwaard with a two goal cushion ahead of the second leg of their Europa League tie with FC Utrecht.

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Dundee Utd XI £120.00

Draw £12.00

Celtic £45.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Dundee Utd XI £150.00

Draw £14.00

Celtic £36.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Dundee Utd XI £50.00

Draw £37.50

Celtic £16.70

Celtic, who were defeated in the Champions League qualifying rounds by Portuguese side Braga, come into the game as firm favourites following the win at Celtic Park, a game in which new signing, Beram Kayal, impressed Hoops fans and manager Neil Lennon.

Utrecht come into the tie having impressed in their domestic fixture against Willem II this weekend. The Dutch team recorded a comfortable 3-0 win to continue their good form in the Eredivisie. Striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel looked threatening as he netted two goals, whilst midfielder and former FC Copenhagen player Michael Silberbauer picked up the man of the match award for an elegant display.

Celtic also arrive in Holland on the back of good form after recording a 4-0 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League, a game in which Joe Ledley opened the scoring on four minutes.

Team News

Celtic 

Striker Gary Hooper remains on the sidelines due to a six week lay-off and is joined by Marc Wilson and Niall McGinn.

Cha Du-Ri also misses out after Lennon’s admission that the player was struggling with a hamstring problem, while Jos Hooiveld returns from his one match suspension and could be in line for a starting place.

Celtic do, however, have a problem at left-back as with Charlie Mulgrew injured and with Honduran international Emilio Izaguirre still dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on his work permit, Joe Ledley may be asked to fill in.

Possible starting XI: Zaluska; Juarez, Majstorovic, Hooiveld, Ledley; Kayal, Brown; Fortune, Maloney, McCourt; Samaras

Utrecht

Utrecht are likely to name a reasonably similar side to the one that defeated Willem at the weekend. Michael Silberbauer and van Wolfswinkel will be looking to build upon their positive performances to help Utrecht overturn the first leg deficit.

Possible starting XI: Vorm; Schut, Cornelisse, Wuytens, Nesu; Lensky, Silberbauer, Mertens, Asare; Mulenga, Van Wolfswinkel.

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