Preview: Celtic vs VfB Stuttgart Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | UEFA Europa League 2025-26 Playoffs first-leg

These sides are going to face each other for the third time ever.

Celtic FC are now going to have a face-off against VfB Stuttgart for their first-leg playoffs fixture of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. Celtic Park will witness this entertaining contest.

The Celts will be at home and will be eager to use it to their advantage. They have performed well in their last few matches, keeping them fully confident for their upcoming European competition clash. Celtic FC only secured three wins during the league phase and will now be looking to keep things under control.

The Reds have also been doing well recently. Despite being away from home, they will be looking to put up a strong fight against the Celts.

VfB Stuttgart have put in some good performances, but the upcoming game is not going to be an easy one for them. They secured five wins during the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.

Kick-off:

• Location: Glasgow, Scotland
• Stadium: Celtic Park
• Date: Friday, February 20
• Kick-off Time: 01:30 a.m. IST (Thursday, Feb 19; 08:00 p.m. GMT/ 03:00 p.m. ET/ 12:00 p.m. PT)
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Celtic: W-W-W-W-W

Stuttgart: W-W-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Benjamin Nygren (Celtic)

Benjamin Nygren was one of the goal scorers for Celtic FC in their previous league outing. He can control the midfield well and is also capable of scoring goals. Nygren has scored three goals in eight European competition games of the ongoing campaign and will be looking to add more to his tally now.

🇸🇪📋 Nygren on the scoresheet again!#KILCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/dkuYXKGSTI

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 15, 2026

Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)

Deniz Undav continues to perform well for VfB Stuttgart. He is one of the most consistent players in the squad and will be a constant threat to the opponent’s defence in the next game. He has six goal involvements in the last five games for his side and will be eager to drop another top performance.

Match Facts

• Celtic FC are on a five-match winning run.
• VfB Stuttgart have won four of their last five games.
• Both sides have won a game each in their two overall meetings against each other.

Betting Tips and Odds

• VfB Stuttgart to win @6/5 Unibet
• Goals over 3.5 @19/10 William Hill
• Deniz Undav to score @13/8 SkyBet

Injury and Team News

Celtic FC will miss out on the services of Adam Montgomery, Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota. They are injured.

Dan-Axel Zagadou, Lazar Jovanovic, Nikolas Nartey, Justin Diehl and Luca Jaquez are not going to be in action for VfB Stuttgart. They are not fit enough.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 2

Celtic won: 1

Stuttgart won: 1

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

Celtic FC predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Schmeichel (GK); Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Hyun-Jun, Adamu, Maeda

VfB Stuttgart predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Nubel (GK); Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Andres; El Khannouss, Undav, Fuhrich; Demirovic

Match Prediction

These sides are going to come up with an electrifying contest. VfB Stuttgart are likely to come out on top to secure a win against Celtic FC in their upcoming UEFA Europa League playoffs clash.

Prediction: Celtic 2-3 Stuttgart

Telecast Details

India: SonyLIV, Sony Sports Network

UK: TNT Sports

US: Paramount+, TUDN

Middle East/North Africa: beIN Sports

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