Celtic vs Young Boys Prediction - Champions League Fixtures

Football fans, brace yourselves! On 22 January 2025, Celtic Park will host a Champions League clash between Celtic and BSC Young Boys. Celtic enter this encounter as bookmaker favorites, riding high on a great season in the Premier League, topped with a stellar home record.

Currently sitting 21st in the Champions League standings with 9 points, Celtic have not lost in four consecutive tournament matches. Meanwhile, BSC Young Boys are rooted at the bottom, holding 36th position with no points.

Prediction? Back Celtic to triumph with a -1.50 Asian Handicap at odds of 1.97. Expect an exciting evening of football!

Celtic vs BSC Young Boys Prediction & Betting Tip

Let’s discuss the prediction and an enticing betting tip for this Champions League clash. The recommended bet here is Celtic -1.50 (Asian Handicap). Considering Celtic’s formidable home record and BSC Young Boys’ struggles this season, this tip looks solid.

• Celtic have an excellent record at home, making them overwhelming favourites.
• They’ve conceded just 1.5 goals on average in their last six Champions League matches.
• BSC Young Boys are yet to secure a point in the tournament, struggling particularly on the road.

Bank on Celtic to shine at home once again in this fixture.

Celtic vs BSC Young Boys Odds

Betting odds for this Champions League match reflect the better performance of Celtic, especially at home.

Celtic are clear favourites heading into this match, which is not surprising given their dominant home record and recent form. Young Boys, meanwhile, face an uphill battle with odds reflecting their struggles in the competition so far. Expect plenty of action as both teams battle it out at Celtic Park under overcast clouds.

Celtic Team Analysis

Celtic have been on a hot streak lately, demonstrating their strength in both domestic and international competitions.

Celtic’s recent form is commendable, with four wins and one draw in their last five games. They have managed to score an average of 2.80 goals per match during this period and maintained two clean sheets. This prolific goal-scoring form and solid defensive efforts will be key in this upcoming clash. The Hoops have been particularly formidable at home, where they have not lost in five consecutive Champions League matches.

Celtic Key Players

Celtic’s offensive lineup has been their standout feature this season, and Daizen Maeda has been crucial to their attacking prowess. Despite being sidelined with a strain injury, Maeda remains Celtic’s top scorer with 3 goals. Expect Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi to step up in his absence. Hatate’s creativity in midfield and Furuhashi’s clinical finishing will be essential. Celtic’s midfield depth is impressive, with players like Matt O’Riley playing key roles. Individual battles to watch include Furuhashi against BSC Young Boys’ Lewin Blum, a clash that could define the match’s tempo.

Expected lineup for Celtic:

• Goalkeeper: No data
• Defenders: No data
• Midfielders: No data
• Attackers: No data

Celtic Suspensions & Injuries

Celtic have a few notable injuries that could impact their performance in the upcoming match. Here’s a summary of the current injuries within the team:

These injuries could leave gaps, especially Maeda’s absence, as he is Celtic’s top scorer. The likes of Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi will need to step up and fill the void.

There are no suspensions to report for this match.

Celtic Tactics and Formation

Celtic Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely 4-3-3 (based on recent games)
• Key Forward: Kyogo Furuhashi (expected to step up in the absence of Maeda)
• Midfield Trio: Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley
• Defensive Strength: With two clean sheets in their last five games, Celtic’s defense has shown resilience. Expect a solid backline approach at Celtic Park.
• Notable Strategy: Celtic often capitalizes on set pieces and counters, particularly utilizing the pace on the flanks.

With an impressive home record and better recent form, Celtic will likely press high and control possession, aiming to exploit weaknesses in the Young Boys’ defense. Their combination play upfront and pressing game will be crucial in breaking down the opposition.

BSC Young Boys Team Analysis

The Young Boys have shown mixed results in their last five matches, displaying a recent form of DWLLW. They have managed two clean sheets, which suggests a certain degree of defensive stability.

Despite their inconsistent performances, they’ve averaged 2.2 goals per game, indicating their offensive capabilities. Their highlight was the impressive 6-0 victory over Biel/Bienne, showcasing their potential when things click. However, losses to Ludogorets Razgrad and Hannover 96 underscore some vulnerabilities, especially when playing away.

With a handful of injuries, it will be interesting to see how BSC Young Boys adjust their tactics and lineup for this crucial match at Celtic Park.

BSC Young Boys Key Players

Expected lineup for BSC Young Boys:

• Goalkeeper: Marvin Keller
• Defenders: Lewin Blum, Tanguy Zoukrou, Loris Benito, Jaouen Hadjam
• Midfielders: Filip Ugrinic, Lukasz Lakomy, Darian Males, Joel Monteiro, Ebrima Colley
• Forward: Cedric Itten

Silvere Ganvoula stands out as BSC Young Boys’ top scorer with 1 goal in the tournament. Midfielder Lukasz Lakomy, the team’s top scorer for this season’s Champions League campaign with 1 goal, also looks to be a pivotal player.

Key individual battles to watch out for include Cedric Itten against Celtic’s defenders and Lukasz Lakomy’s creativity in midfield, which will be crucial if the Young Boys are to penetrate Celtic’s defence.

BSC Young Boys Suspensions & Injuries

The absence of Facinet Conte due to a season-ending cruciate ligament injury will be a significant blow to BSC Young Boys’ defensive stability. Meanwhile, uncertain return dates for players like Saidy Janko, Mats Seiler, and Alan Virginius add to the team’s challenges. Christian Fassnacht’s potential late-January return provides some hope, but overall, these injuries may hinder Young Boys’ ability to field their best squad, impacting their performance against Celtic.

BSC Young Boys Tactics and Formation

BSC Young Boys Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Cedric Itten
• Midfield Trio: Filip Ugrinic, Lukasz Lakomy, Darian Males
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Young Boys often focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure while looking for opportunities to counter-attack, especially in the second half.

The team will likely employ a cautious approach, relying on the robust positioning of their midfield trio and the pace of their attacking players to break through Celtic’s defenses. Despite the absence of key players like Facinet Conte, they will aim to be resilient at the back and opportunistic up front.