Celtic vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Bhoys need a turnaround of fortunes in the group stages

Brendan Rodgers previously managed Celtic during the 2016 to 2019 period. And came back after a Leicester City stint this summer. Coach have done brilliantly domestically. 8 wins and a draw to keep them up top in the Scottish Premiership. The problem lies in UEFA Champions League games. They have lost both starting group games against Feyenoord and Lazio.

Atletico Madrid undoubtedly are doing amazing under long-time manager Diego Simeone. With a game in hand, they sit in the fourth spot in LaLiga. If they win that game, they move up to displace rivals Real Madrid from the peak. In the UCL opener, Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedal's heroic header goal in the added time denied Simeone's side all three points. The second one though ended as a 3-2 win against Feyenoord.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 8:00 PM BST

Thursday, 26 October 2023 at 12:30 AM IST

Location: Celtic Park

Form

Celtic (in all competitions): W-W-L-W-W

Atletico Madrid (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic)

The Japanese centre-forward is doing excellent under Brendan Rogers this season. In the Scottish Premiership, Kyogo Furuhashi has scored five goals and only Matt O'Riley has scored more for the club. Furuhashi has also provided two assists. In the UCL matchday 2 home fixture against Serie A side Lazio, the striker did give his side an early lead. But the Italian outfit came from behind to win 2-1.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Spirits should be all-time high for Antoine Griezmann. After almost six years, Griezmann scored a hattrick in LaLiga last match. Celta Vigo conceded all three goals after getting down to ten men from the former FC Barcelona forward without a response. The player is just a goal shy in the Pichichi trophy race only to Jude Bellingham, who is on 8 goals. Griezmann also scored a goal in the last UCL game.

https://twitter.com/KhelNowWF/status/1716401816030871908?s=20

Match Facts

• In the six meetings they have had, Celtic have never beaten Atletico Madrid
• The last games between them were played in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League group stages. Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at home and 1-0 away
• The home side have a winless run of 11 Champions League group games

Injury & Team News for Celtic vs Atletico Madrid

Brendan Rodgers has got a fully fit Celtic squad apart from two players who will not participate in this one. The Israeli forward who also plays as a winger, Liel Abada is dealing with a thigh issue. And in the backline, Celtic Park hosts have the 23-year-old centre-back Stephen Welsh out with an ankle injury.

Diego Simeone will have a few complaints solely due to a few players out from the Atletico Madrid defence. A calf issue sees Jose Maria Gimenez out alongside Reinildo Mandava. Stefan Savić was missing in the Celta Vigo win due to illness and can make it back to the squad. Samuel Lino also suffered a setback in that game. Thomas Lemar and Memphis Depay are not available as well.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 6

Celtic wins – 0

Atletico Madrid wins – 4

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineup

Celtic predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Hart (GK); A. Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Furuhashi, Yang Hyun-Jun

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Oblak (GK); Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso; Llorente, Barrios, Koke, Saúl, Molina; Morata, Griezmann

Match Prediction for Celtic vs Atletico Madrid

Although Celtic lost both UCL group games, they weren't one-sided completely. Firstly in Feyenoord's defeat, they lost two players to a red card. And in the second one against Lazio, only an added-time goal stopped The Bhoys from earning a point. Simeone's men themselves had to go toe to toe with Feyenoord last time around to get all three points. The Celtic Park should witness a good game. However, if any team comes out with a win, it should be Atletico Madrid.

Prediction: Celtic 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US –  CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – Supersport

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.