Celtic prepare to face RB Leipzig in Group F of Champions League
Celtic travel to Germany to take on RB Leipzig in what is a significant clash in the Champions League group stages. The Scottish champions have one point from their opening two fixtures after securing a draw with Shakhtar Donetsk and can take a huge step closer to reaching the knockouts if they win this evening.
RB Leipzig are bottom of Group F having lost both of their opening Champions League fixtures, but they come into the game on the back of a 4-0 victory over VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga. This season’s Champions League campaign has been disappointing for the German side but they can get back on track by picking up three points against Celtic.
However, the Hoops have impressed in Europe so far even though their performances have not brought them the desired rewards. Manager Ange Postegolou was left frustrated that his side only managed to collect one point against Shakhtar but they are slowly building a belief that they can compete in Europe’s top competition. Will they earn their first Champions League win of the season?
Follow all the action as Celtic visit RB Leipzig in the Champions League group stages:
RB Leipzig vs Celtic
These sides have contrasting histories in Europe’s elite club competition. Celtic’s Lisbon Lions famously lifted the trophy in 1967 and the Scottish side have 216 games under their belts.
Leipzig on the other hand did not make their Champions League bow until 2017 and this is the German side’s fourth campaign in all. They reached the semis in 2019/20.
Cameron Carter-Vickers to miss Celtic’s clash with Leipzig, confirms Ange Postecoglou
The United States international was a doubt for the Group F clash at the Red Bull Arena after pulling up in training before the St Mirren defeat in Paisley before the international break.
Carter-Vickers missed the weekend win over Motherwell and – with his regular partner Carl Starfelt out since early September with a knee injury – Stephen Welsh and Moritz Jenz are expected again to deputise in the centre of the Hoops defence.
Postecoglou arrived in Germany also without winger Liel Abada and midfielder Aaron Mooy.
Carter-Vickers missed the weekend win over Motherwell.
RB Leipzig vs Celtic team news and predicted line-ups
Dani Olmo remains absent for RB Leipzig due to a knee issue, with Konrad Laimer and Lukas Klostermann also unavailable due to ankle injuries. Marco Rose is unlikely to make major alterations.
Celtic forward Liel Abada could miss the encounter due to the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur - the club have let the player decide. Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has a knock, and James McCarthy, who has been struggling with illness, will be assessed ahead of kick-off, but both Carl Starfelt and Georgios Giakoumakis are likely not to feature.
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (c); Simakan, Orban, Diallo, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Silva
Celtic: Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; McGregor (c), Hatate; Haksabanovic, O’Riley, Jota; Furuhashi
RB Leipzig vs Celtic
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.
Celtic travel to Germany in one of the early kick offs as they take on RB Leipzig in a crucial Group F clash. The Hoops have one point from the opening two fixtures but put in decent performances against Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk. They sit third in the group with only tonight’s opponents below them. The German side have lost both of their group games but will see this game as an opportunity to get their Champions League campaign back on track. Will Celtic be able to keep them quiet?
Then later this evening, Manchester City host FC Copenhagen at the Etihad. They come into the match on the back of a 6-3 trhrashing of Manchester United in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola will want to continue their winning streak. That’s before mentioning Erling Haaland’s imperious form in front of goal. He has 17 goals in 11 games for City and will want to improve on that record this evening.
