BETTING GUIDE: Celtic vs Stuttgart,match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 18.02.26. | 21:07
The tie represents a crucial hurdle on the road to the round of 16, with both clubs knowing that a strong first-leg performance could shape the narrative ahead of the decisive return fixture in Germany
Thursday night in Glasgow sets the stage for a high-stakes European encounter as Celtic welcome VfB Stuttgart to Celtic Park for the opening chapter of their UEFA Europa League playoff showdown.
The tie represents a crucial hurdle on the road to the round of 16, with both clubs knowing that a strong first-leg performance could shape the narrative ahead of the decisive return fixture in Germany.
Celtic navigated the league phase with 11 points, ultimately finishing 21st in the standings - enough to stay in the competition but short of the automatic qualification places.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, accumulated 15 points to secure 11th position, falling just outside the top bracket that would have guaranteed direct passage to the next round.
The margins were tight, and both sides now have a second chance to extend their European journey.
With knockout football offering no room for complacency, the emphasis will be on control, composure, and capitalising on key moments.
Celtic will look to harness the intensity of their home crowd, while Stuttgart aim to take a valuable result back to Germany.
Celtic enter this clash in outstanding domestic form.
Since Martin O’Neill’s return, the Bhoys are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, winning eight and drawing two.
In their last six outings, they have won five and drawn one, averaging 2.5 goals scored and 1.33 conceded per match, with 83% of those fixtures producing over 2.5 goals.
Their most recent result – a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Kilmarnock – extended a five-game winning streak and underlined their resilience, though conceding twice again highlighted defensive vulnerability.
At Celtic Park, confidence is high. They have won four and drawn one of their last five home matches, including a crucial 4-2 Europa League victory over Utrecht that sealed progression.
However, a notable concern is their inability to keep clean sheets in Europe this season, conceding 1.88 goals per Europa League match and failing to shut out any opponent in the league phase.
Kasper Schmeichel has been busy between the posts, ranking among the competition’s top shot-stoppers.
In terms of team news, Celtic are without Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota due to injury, while January additions Julian Araujo, Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara are eligible and could feature.
Benjamin Nygren, with three Europa League goals and 16 across all competitions, remains a key attacking threat alongside Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, travel to Scotland in similarly strong overall form.
The Bundesliga side have won five of their last six matches in all competitions, scoring 2.33 goals per game while conceding just 0.83 on average.
They currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga with 42 points from 22 matches and are also into the DFB-Pokal semi-finals, underlining the quality within Sebastian Hoeness’ squad.
In the Europa League league phase, Stuttgart won five of eight matches, averaging 1.88 goals scored per game.
However, their away record in Europe raises questions, with three defeats in four away league-phase fixtures.
Despite that, they have managed five wins in their last seven away matches in all competitions, suggesting they can be dangerous on the road.
Team news sees Stuttgart without Dan-Axel Zagadou, Nikolas Nartey and Justin Diehl through injury.
Much of their attacking threat revolves around Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic, who have combined for 37 goal involvements this season.
With creative support from Chris Fuhrich and Jamie Leweling, Stuttgart possess the tools to trouble Celtic’s backline.
The two sides last met in the 2003-04 UEFA Cup, with Celtic progressing 5-4 on aggregate. Historically, meetings have been competitive and high-scoring.
Key betting pointers;
VfB Stuttgart have found the net in each of their previous five outings, recording one clean sheet in that run.
Celtic are yet to register a shutout in this season’s UEFA Europa League campaign.
Both teams have scored in three of Stuttgart’s last five matches.
Four of Celtic’s past five games have also ended with both sides getting on the scoresheet.
Celtic’s strong attacking form at home, combined with defensive frailties, suggests they will find the net but may struggle to contain Stuttgart’s in-form strike partnership.
With both sides averaging over two goals per game recently and a high percentage of over 2.5 goal outcomes, backing BTTS offers solid value, with over 2.5 goals also a worthwhile secondary consideration.
Prediction; Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
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